School House Museum
Deep River, Ontario
1
This 5 ft. Wooden chain carved from white pine by Bernard Babinski of Barrys Bay Ontario . It was done in his spare time while he was working as a Forest Ranger about 1968.2
5' wooden chain carved by Bernard Babinski of Barrys Bay Ont1968
Barrys Bay Ontario
Credits:Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke Ont.
3
Golden Eye duck carved in the early 1990's from Butternut wood by Paul Jay of Deep River Ontario4
Golden Eye duck carved from Butternut wood by Paul JayEarly 1990's
Deep River, Ontario
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Mallard duck carved in the early 1990's from Cedar wood by Paul Jay of Deep River Ontario6
Mallard duck carved from Cedar wood by Paul JayEarly 1990's
Deep River, Ontario
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Mallard duck carved in the early 1990's from Basswood by Paul Jay of Deep River Ontario8
Mallard duck carved from Basswood by Paul JayEarly 1990's
Deep River, Ontario
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For many years from the 1940's thru the 1960's Earniest (Earnie) Davidson of Beachburg Ontario operated a barber shop/ news stand on the main street of Beachburg, (Beachburg Road), between Ab Stokes Harnes Shop (#1802) and Foster's General Store (#1806). The changing hair styles of the '60's left many small town barbers with time on their hands. In slack times in his barbershop Earnie turned to wood carving . Here he is seen at work with some of his creations on display.10
Earnist (Earnie) Davidson (1906-1967) at work in his barbershop/news stand1960
Beachburg, Ontario
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Two horses carved by Ernest Davidson of Beachburg Ontario about 1955. . Photo courtesy of Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke Ontario12
Two horses carved by Ernest Davidson1955
Beachburg, Ontario
Credits:Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke, Ont.
13
Team and sleigh carved by Ernest Davidson, Beachburg Ontario about 1960. . Photo courtesy of Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke Ontario14
Team and sleigh carved by Ernest Davidson1960
Beachburg, Ontario
Credits:Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke, Ont.
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Deer Head wall plaque carved by Earnest (Earnie) Davidson of Beachburg Ontario about 196016
Wall hanging by Earnist Davidson1960's
Beachburg, Ontario
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Horses and sleigh load of logs carved by Arthur Erwin of Beachburg Ontario about 1960. Photo courtesy of Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke Ontario18
Horses and sleigh load of logs carved by Arthur Erwin1960
Beachburg, Ontario
Credits:Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke, Ont.
19
Doug Austin (1909 - 1986) was born in the Beaches area of Toronto and came to Renfrew County as part of the Scientific team who created Canada's first Nuclear Reactor (ZEEP) at the Chalk River Labs of the then "Defense Industries Limited", now Atomic Energy of Canada. An avid outdoorsman, he began carving to provide himself with working duck decoys. Both family and a former hunting buddy report that Doug had carved himself an impressive 20 to 25 working decoys but despite repeated efforts to trace and photograph these , they remain unlocated. Doug's carving hobby evolved into the carving of decorative decoys and songbirds for family and friends.20
Doug Austen (1909 - 1989)1970's
Deep River, Ontario
21
Mid 1980's Display of ducks and shore birds carved by Doug Austin of Deep River Ontario22
Display of ducks and shore birds carved by Doug Austin1985
Deep River, Ontario
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Green Winged Teal carved by Doug Austin of Deep River Ontario in 198224
Green Winged Teal carved by Doug Austin1982
Deep River, Ontario
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Canvasback Drake carved by Doug Austin of Deep River Ontario in 198726
Canvasback Drake carved by Doug Austin1987
Deep River, Ontario
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Relief carving of Mallard Drake by Doug Austin of Deep River Ontario. Carved in 198328
Relief carving of Mallard Drake by Doug Austin1983
Deep River, Ontario
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Relief carving of Mallard hen by Doug Austin of Deep River Ontario. Carved in 198430
Relief carving of Mallard hen by Doug Austin1984
Deep River, Ontario
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Evening Grossbeak carved by Doug Austin of Deep River Ontario inthe 1980's32
Evening Grossbeak carved by Doug Austin1980's
Deep River, Ontario
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"The World's Smallest Orchestra" carved by Sam Gauthier of Pembroke Ontario in 1930. Photo courtesy of Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke OntarioBy EVA JANSEN
Staff Writer - Pembroke Observer
After touring several cities in Ontario for a half a century, the world's smallest orchestra is finally back in Pembroke and offering what is surely the most wooden and unmusical performance ever given by a six-piece band. But it may not be long before people flock to see, if not exactly hear, the famous sextet that now lounges in the salon of the Champlain Trail Museum.
Strumming, tapping, and swaying away are two dancers, an emcee, a banjo player, drummer, and pianist-all fashioned out of wood and operated through the turning of a hand crank.
"I think the proper terminology for it is a really unique piece of folk-art," museum curator Barbara Otty said. "We've seen two sets of kids today who were mesmerized."
Until Saturday, the contraption belonged to Lionel Gauthier and his siblings, formerly of Pembroke. Mr. Gauthier, who now lives in Timmins, said his father's 1930 creation should no longer rest with him or his relatives.
"Our family has all seen it, and it was sitting in storage in the garage," he said. "What better than to see people who lived in that era to come and see it? People will be able to reminisce."
Mr. Gauthier's father, Sam. Took four years to finish the toy orchestra, which he began when he couldn't find work as a carpenter. Using scrap wood, shoelaces, and haywire, he was able to build at no expense.
The orchestra became a show-piece at local fairs and picnics, where adults paid a quarter and children a nickel each to turn the wheel and watch the figurines jiggle. Lionel, who was eight when the piece was completed, said he enjoyed touting his father's accomplishment. He too was talented at woodwork, but, fearing another economic depression, chose a more stable job as a letter carrier. In1936, the orchestra moved with the family to Timmins, where Lionel still lives, and later to Windsor with other family members where it survived a fire. Lionel said his father, who eventually found other types of work in several communities, continued carpentry as a hobby, but never produced another masterpiece. Although Pembroke is no longer his home, Lionel explained that the orchestra originated here and ultimately belongs in the city museum. And although most of his 10 grandchildren haven't yet seen the piece, Lionel pointed out, "If they want to see it, they can come to Pembroke."
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World's smallest Orchestra carved by Sam Gauthier1930
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Champlain Trail Museum, Pembroke, Ont.
Pembroke Observer
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Janet Ryan (nee Proulx) was born and brought up in Timmins, Ontario. She attended North Bay Teachers College (Normal School) in the early 1950's, married Jack Ryan and subsequently moved to Chalk River. While Janet carried on her teaching career mainly at Lady of Sorrows School in Petawawa she & Jack raised two daughters and built Ryan's Campsite at Point Alexander wherethey made their home.
After retirement from teaching in the late 1980's, Janet, always a very creative person, embarked on an artistic career. She created stained glass works of art and took up Chain Saw carving. She sold some carvings at The Octagon Gallery in Calabogie and gifted many pieces to her family and friends.
Janet's career was prematurely cut short due to cancer in 1994.
Submitted by
Erma Wesanko
R.R#1
Deep River, Ontario
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Business card of Janet Ryan1984
Deep River, Ontario
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4 foot "Tiki" garden decoration carved by Janet Ryan of Deep River Ontario in 199038
4 foot "Tiki" garden decoration carved by Janet Ryan1990
Deep River, Ontario
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Indoor display of "Tiki" carving by Janet Ryan of Deep River Ontario in the late 1980's.40
Indoor display of "Tiki" carving by Janet Ryan1980's
Deep River, Ontario
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"Tiki" deck décor by Janet Ryan of Deep River Ontario in the late 1980's.42
"Tiki" deck décor by Janet RyanLate 1980's
Deep River, Ontario
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"Three Kings" carved by Janet Ryan of Deep River Ontario in the late 1980's44
"Three Kings" carved by Janet RyanLate 1980's
Deep River, Ontario
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Biography of Fred GehlertBy Evelyn Gelhert
Fred. Gehlert Jr. - Born in Pembroke, Ontario, Ma'y 8, 1894
Parents Fred Sr. & Paule Gehlert (first cousins, were married in
May 1891) moved to Pembroke from Lodz, Poland. A child was born in
Poland but died. Fred Sr. came ahead while his wife stayed behind
to take care of funeral arrangements. Don't know dates they left
Poland but likely around 1892 -1893.
The family moved to Hoboken., N.J. in 1895 and remained there until
about 1906. Another son and two daughters were born there. Then
they returned to Canada and lived for a short time in Petawawa
Township and later purchased, a 200 acre farm with buildings in
Fraser Township for the princely sum of $500.00, and this property
remained in the family until 1996 when it was sold. after the death
of Henry Gehlert.
Fred Jr. attended school in Hoboken. N.J. but don't know anything
about schooling in Canada except that he did attend night school in
Pembroke as a young man. He would have been 12 years old when the
family left N.J. When he was 16 years old. he went on a "Harvest
Excursion" to Saskatchewan.
August 27, 1919 he married Emma Heuer (who came to Canada at the
age of 5 in 1905 with her parents - from Waldenburg, Germany).
Fred worked at the Fischer Planing Mill at that time but shortly
after the newly weds left Pembroke to work for the C.N.R. Fred
worked for the Bridge and Building Gang, while Emma was the cook
for the gang. They often mentioned such places as Hornepayne, Long
Lac etc. When Emma became pregnant with their first child (a son
who only lived for four days) they left the C.M.K. to move to Port
Arthur where Fred worked at a Grain Silo; then they returned to the
C.N.R. until Emma became pregnant again, then back to Port Arthur
where Fred again worked at a Grain Silo. When Evelyn was born in
March 1925, they left the North to homestead in Fraser Township on
100 acres adjacent to the property owned by Fred's parents.
They lived in a small log building on the parents farm until a
house was built and then for a few years they tried farming and
raised chickens which they sold. In 1929 Fred joined a carpenter
friend to work at building construction in Temiskaming,.' Que. and in
1930 the job took them to Dalhousie, N.B. to work on building a
pulp and paper mill. Emma and their two daughters moved there as
well and when the job was finished in late 1930 they moved to
Pembroke for a few months, then back out to the house in Fraser
Township. This was the beginning of hard times for the-family. In
1931 Fred was employed for a while in Montreal doing carpenter work
but when that job was finished he returned to the home in "the
bush" and was unemployed, until the highway (#62) was built up to
Round Lake where he had work for about a year. Somewhere around
1936 or '37 he built two homes for two brothers in Alice and after
that started working for Harvey Coumbs Contracting in Pembroke
until he retired long past the age of 65 but don't remember just
when. He was foreman on such construction jobs as the Pembroke
Memorial Centre, Calvin United Church Hall, Malcom & Deavitt
Funeral Home as well as many homes in Pembroke.
His hobby was woodworking - inlay and carving.
He spent the last years of his life in Miramichi Lodge where he
died in May 1987 at the age of 93.
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Fred Gehlert (1894 - 1987)1977
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
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Gymnasts, carved by Fred Gehlert of Pembroke Ontario while working on the construction of Hwy 62 in the Round Lake area of Ontario during the 1930's.48
Gymnasts by Fred Gehleret1930's
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
Credits:David Field
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Bathing Beauty , carved by Fred Gehlert of Pembroke Ontario while working on the construction of Hwy 62 in the Round Lake area of Ontario during the 1930's.50
Bathing beauty carving by Fred Gehlert1930's
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
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Lady Bather, carved by Fred Gehlert of Pembroke Ontario while working on the construction of Hwy 62 in the Round Lake area of Ontario during the 1930's.52
Lady bather by Fred Gehlert1930's
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
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Lady Swimmer, carved by Fred Gehlert of Pembroke Ontario while working on the construction of Hwy 62 in the Round Lake area of Ontario during the 1930's.54
Lady swimmer carved by Fred Gehlert1930's
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
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Construction worker ( said to be a self portrait) carvedby Fred Gehlert of Pembroke Ontario in the 1930's, during the time he worked on the building of Highway 62 in th Round Lake area of Ontario.56
Construction Worker carved by Fred Gehlert1930's
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
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Fred Gehlert (1894 - 1987) with some of his hand engraved creations taken in December 197258
Fred Gehlert with some of his engraving1972
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
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Walnut tray made by Fred Gehlert. The engraving was done from a pencil shading copy he made from a tray in Ireland or Scotland, then came home and carved.60
Walnut tray with engraving copied from a Scottish pattern by Fred Gehlert1940
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada
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Cane carved from Maple by Napoleon Melacon of La Passe Ontario about 1900. The interpretation of the symbolism , ( 4 serpents entwining a thorn shaft, 4 hearts, beaver, horse hoof,) have been lost in the 4 generations the cane has been handed down through.62
Cane carved from Maple by Napoleon Melacon1900
La Passe, Ontario
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Leo Donohue1985
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
Making Most Of His Skills:
by Lucy Brown
Mercury Reporter
The gift of craftsmanship is a precious one and Admaston township resident Leo Donohue is making the best of his skills.
Donohue recently completed an intricate wood carving of the Carlsberg wagon for Glen Beckwith of Carleton Place, who ownes a ceramic shop in town.
The carved wagon will be part of a display which features ceramic reproductions of the eight Carlsberg horses.
The precisely carved wagon is made of black cherry wood and the under-carriage is made of elm.
There are 148 total inches of trim on the wagon and the back of the wagon bears an image of the northern wind carried by four horses.
There are even carved crowns on the hubcaps of each wheel and two tiney men seated at the front of the wagon. It took Donohue about three months to complete the project.
Donohue recalls carving when he was young and in 1948 he entered a carved miniarure truck in the Ottawa Exhibition and placed first. The winning prize was just over two dollars.
But it has only been since Christmas of 1982 that Donohue has rediscovered his love of carving.
He currently has a couple of other projects under way , including one for a window display at a farming shop in Pakenham.
Last week Donohue presented a butternut carving of a team of horses and sleigh to the McDougal Mill Museum to mark the official opening of it's 1985 season.
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Leo Donohue1940 - 2011
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Donohue recently completed an intricate wood carving of the Carlsberg wagon for Glen Beckwith of Carleton Place, who ownes a ceramic shop in town.The carved wagon will be part of a display which features ceramic reproductions of the eight Carlsberg horses.
The precisely carved wagon is made of black cherry wood and the under-carriage is made of elm.
There are 148 total inches of trim on the wagon and the back of the wagon bears an image of the northern wind carried by four horses.
There are even carved crowns on the hubcaps of each wheel and two tiney men seated at the front of the wagon. It took Donohue about three months to complete the project.
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Carlesberg Wagon carved by Leo Donohue1985
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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This carving of the MacKenzie Coat of Arms was completed about 1985 by Leo Donohue for Mac MacKenzie of Renfrew Ontario.68
MacKenzie Coat of Arms carved by Leo Donohue1985
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Terry MacKenzie
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Donohue recalls carving when he was young and in 1948 he entered a carved miniarure truck in the Ottawa Exhibition and placed first. The winning prize was just over two dollars.70
Ottawa Ex 1948 - First Prize1948
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Heavy draft horses and wagon carved by Leo Donohue of Renfrew Ontario72
Horses and wagon carved by Leo DonohueCirca 1995
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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Heavy draft horses and sleighload of logs carved by Leo Donohue of Renfrew Ontario.74
Horses and sleigh carved by Leo DonohueCirca 1985
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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A butternut carving of a team of horses and sleigh presented to the McDougal Mill Museum by Leo Donohue to mark the official opening of it's 1985 season.76
Horses and sleigh from butternut1985
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
Credits:McDougall Mill Museum Renfrew
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At age 84 Leo Donohue continues to enjoy his craft in his spare time. Here in his workshop, one of his signature Heavy Draft Horses emerges from its hiding in a block of wood.78
A work in progress by Leo Donohue3 October 2011
Renfrew, Ontario, Canada
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