The Citizen, 1992-07-01, Page 44PAGE A12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1,1992.
East Wawanosh Township 125th Anniversary Commemorative Edition
Published by North Huron Citizen
CRAIG HARDWOODS LTD.
Five generations
of Craigs have
operated sawmills
since 1866;
originally at
St. Augustine ...
Since 1946 at
Auburn.
Craig's Sawmill as seen about 1950
Commemorative plate
George Reid's "Mortgaging the Homestead", which was painted in 1890 has
been reporduced on a special souvenir collector's plate for the 125th
anniversary of East Wawanosh.
With over 126 years in business
we join with our neighbours in celebrating
the 125th anniversary of the
Township of East Wawanosh,
Plate honours twp. native
In honour of East Wawanosh Township's
125th birthday celebration, a collectors plate
reproduced from a painting by George Reid,
a township native who became one of
Canada’s best-known artists, is being
highlighted in a souvenir auction.
The original painting "Mortgaging the
Homestead", which was painted in 1890,
hangs in the National gallery in Ottawa, a
donation to the Royal Canadian Academy of
Art.
As stated on the plate's back, the image is
reminiscent of the time in the early 1870's
when Reid's father, Adam Reid, was forced
to mortgage the family farm lovingly called
"The Homestead" on Lot 33, Cone. 13.
As George Cull, chair of the East
Wawanosh celebration said, George Reid's
painting was chosen for this project because
he not only represents a part of East
Wawanosh's Jteritage but the heritage of
Canada itself which is also celebrating its
125th birthday. A copy of the original
painting hangs above the fireplace mantle in
Mr. Cull's home.
George Agnew Reid was bom July 25,
1860 in East Wawanosh Township. His
father was a Scottish immigrant farmer who
settled on a farm in the East Wawanosh area
in 1840. George attended elementary school
at S.S. #11 in East Wawanosh Township.
Following a passion for art and an interest
in the history of Canada, Reid went against
his father's wishes for him to follow the
tradition of the pioneers and farm. By 1877
Reid was winning prizes at the local fairs in
the Wingham area for his drawings.
To prevent him from going to art school
in Toronto, Reid's father legally apprenticed
him out as a draftsman to J.B. Proctor, a
local architect, but in 1878 Proctor's
business failed, thus releasing George from
his contract.
In Autumn 1878, Reict went off to attend
art school in Toronto, then in 1880, he
opened a small studio in Wingham. Once
there, he took many orders for crayon and oil
oortraits of leading figures from Wingham
ind Kincardine, as well as working on figure
)ieces and still lifes. He returned to art
school in Toronto in March 1882.
In Oct. 1882, Reid began studying at the
’ennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. There
le met another young student, Mary Hiester,
ind in early May 1885 they married. They
oon left Pennsylvania, travelling to Europe
o study abroad.
In 1886, the couple returned to Toronto to
egin their joint professional careers. Their
lutual studio quickly evolved to an opening
f regular classes and a private art school.
It was upon a return trip to Wingham in
886 that Reid painted his first large farm
:ene, "Call To Dinner". Written accounts
iy it was at this time that he began
jpicting Canadian contemporary and
continued on page A13
AUBURN 526-7220
Congratulations
East Wawanosh
on your 125th Anniversary
1867 “A Great Place To Live" 1992
Corrine, our Grand Champion at Tri-County Show, Walkerton three consecutive years -1988,1989 and 1990
Lazy Meadows
Dairy Farms
Registered Holsteins
R.R. #3 Blyth
523-9265
Jim & Lorraine, Laura, Shannon,
Patrick, Jamie, and Ryan Hallahan