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The woodcarvers of Renfrew County have earned national and international renown for works spanning a broad spectrum from the finest wooden jewellery to the tallest totem pole in Ontario.
This Community Stories exhibit chronicles the lives and showcases the artistry of Renfrew County’s woodcarvers from 1846 to the present day. To achieve this substantial project, the School House Museum collaborated with other members of the Renfrew County Museums Network, documenting woodcarvings from all corners of this expansive county.
While some woodcarvers made a living selling their works, many indulged in the craft for personal satisfaction, giving their carvings to friends and family as gifts. These works have also been recorded after an extensive search of the county through local media.
In order to present a full and accurate history of Renfrew County’s celebrated art form, the exhibit features newspaper clippings and photographs saved by descendants of early carvers, as well as excerpts from books and articles, including the Tamarack Magazine of Deep River High School.
