Producer: Pembroke Heritage Murals
Category: Heritage
Artist: Pierre Hardy
THE TIMBER RAFT painted by Pierre Hardy 2004
A tribute to the era of the timber raft on the Ottawa River, circa 1800s. Long timbers of white and red pine were in abundance in this region and the primary reason for early settlers seeking lumber rights. Timbers were hewn square with a broad axe weighing ten or twelve pounds. This shape was made specifically for English and European markets in the early 1800s, as the squares fit better into the holds of ships. The timber ‘sticks’ with an average length of 40 to 50 feet were bound together into cribs. 20 to 25 sticks made up a crib 26 feet wide. These cribs were assembled into rafts containing 90 to 200 cribs. River Drivers would break rafts into cribs to run chutes and heavy white water, illustrated here. A free-standing mural with three dimensional components consisting of a square timber crib model, red and white pine trees, shrubs and boulders built into a berm. It is a collective achievement by many people and stands as a grand entrance to our beautiful waterfront and marina parkland.
Partners: The Ontario Trillium Foundation, City of Pembroke Council & Staff, Gerry Morris / Architect, Jay McLaren / Horticulturist, Herb Shaw & Sons Ltd, since 1848, Algonquin College Forestry Technician Students, Ottawa River Power Corporation, Walsh Bros. Construction, Valley Contracting, Cochrane Electric. Clouthier Construction, Seigel Sand and Gravel,Campbell Monument, Pembroke Downtown Development Commission, Giant Tiger Pembroke, Pembroke Crane, the People of Pembroke.
For More Information: Pembroke Heritage Murals
Where to Find This Mural
Location: Albert Street, Pembroke, ON, Canada | Get Directions