Nottawasaga Tapestries

A Community Threads Project

The Nottawasaga Tapestries were created over a period of two years. They were designed and woven by the Nottawasaga Handweavers and Spinners Guild and members of the community. We were fortunate to have Line Dufour, a renowned tapestry artist, as our mentor to guide us on this journey. The generous contribution from the Ontario Arts Council, donations and the many volunteer hours made this project possible.

The project began with photographing scenes, activities and buildings in the area. Guild members and friends gathered to sort through the images to select those to be used for the tapestries. The photo images were used to create representaive paintings. Once arranged into strips of 4 images, they were traced onto acetate overlays. Using an overhead projector they were enlarged to make full scale cartoons to follow while weaving the tapestries. Using donated yarns, borrowed tapestry looms the weaving commenced. Some of the tapestries were done at our guild space at the Gibson Centre and some were done off site. Finishing included weaving in all the loose ends, blocking and adding headers. In 2013, The Nottawasaga Tapestries were complete. They have been displayed in several locations over the years including the Gibson Centre, The Simcoe County Museum and The Museum of Dufferin. There are 12 tapestries with 4 images each. 45 of these images are shown in these photos.

1a

The Scottish dancer represents the origin of some of the early European settlers in the New Tecumseth Area.

1b

He shoots, he scores!!! Every town in Canada has a hockey team and Alliston is no exception with the winning Hornets!

1c

Musical pursuits abound in New Tecumseth and this guitarist is one of many performers at the Gibson Centre.

1d

Fore! The early morning lightgreets golfers at many local gold courses.

2a

Hydro electric power became common in the early 20th century; about the same time Banting was working on his research.

2b

The birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting is being restored by the Sir Frederick Banting Legacy Foundation, the Town of New Tecumseth and other community partners.

2c

This 5 tonne granite cairn at the homestead commemorates Banting's achievement as the co-discoverer of Insulin.

2d

This unusual octagonal drive shed on the Banting homestead property has been restored.

3a

The 1929 water tower on the Stevenson Farm had a considerable lean until it was restored with a system of cables and winches.

3b

Large Barns had stables for horses, storage for straw and hay and an attached silo for animal feed.

3c

Vegetables and fruit from the garden fill jars with pickles and preserves for the long cold winter ahead.

3d

Rippling canola fields reflect the summer sunlight. Canola, an edible oil, was developed in Canada in the 1970's.

4a

The tower bell of the Mercer Implement Factory, now the Gibson Centre called workers to start and end their day.

4b

During renovations part of the floor of the Gibson Centre was opened up to allow a unique view of the bell tower.

4c

The Gibson Centre is a wonderful location for musical events with its grand performance hall and grand piano.

4d

The third floor of the Gibson Centre, Alice's Attic, is the home of Nottawasaga Handweavers and Spinners Guild.

5a

Fields full of hay bales are often seen dotting the landscape in early summer.

5b

Tobacco kilns are a reminder of days gone by; of long hours of manual labour on hot summer days.

5c

An important animal on most early farms, sheep continue to graze on pastures in the New Tecumseth area.

5d

Irish settlers arrived following the potato famines of the 1840's. Today, the potato is celebrated at the Alliston Potato Festival in early August.

6a

Pick-up trucks in farm driveways are a symbol of our rural lifestyle.

6b

Evening sunsets glow through the trees, making magical moments after long workdays.

6c

A monument marks the resting place of the founder of Alliston, William Fletcher and his wife Margaret McGirr.

6d

The silence of winter though a cedar fence.

7a

A stone cairn honours the memory of Sir Frederick Banting at the from of Banting memorial High School, Alliston.

7b

Window panes were usually small in early Ontario houses because glass had to be shipped long distances and was expensive.

7c

The classic Ontario farmhouse was a form that lasted from the 1860's until the suburbs of the 1950's.

7d

Trees- providing food, warmth and shelter are as important today as they were to early inhabitants.

8a

As a result of farming, the sandy soils eroded forming extensive dunes. Thousands of pine trees have helped to reforest the barren hills.

8b

Kitchen tools help make work easier.

8c

The row of white trucks represents the Gibson Transport Company, based in Alliston.

8d

An unusual concrete bridge is found on the 7th Line in the town of New Tecumseth.

9a

Our provincial flower, the trillium, blooms in abundance in forests throughout the area.

9b

The original Beeton Town Hall was built in 1894. Still standing today, it is the home of the "New Tecumseth Times".

9c

Children from a local daycare have fun on the "spider web" at the Rotary Club Adventure Playground in Riverdale Park.

9d

The South Simcoe Railway is an important tourist attraction that operates today with the help of many volunteers.

10b

A chickadee poses for the camera.

10c

A young girl is birdwatching, a popular activity in the area.

10d

The Museum on the Boyne celebrates Alliston's past.

11b

An ancient tree stands guard over graves in the pioneer cemetary.

11c

The Fletcher family was one of the original families of the Alliston area. Their house still stands on Fletcher Crescent.

11d

A dominant structure in the landscape is St. James Catholic Church in Colgan.

12b

The Nottawasaga Tapestries were created on looms such as this one.

12c

A spinner imagines all she can create with the fibres in their hands.

12d

Fall colours delight the eye on a country road.