What started as an idea that Ellen Fennell brought forward, and then with help turned into a reality over four decades ago, continues to celebrate the heritage of our area.
A group of ladies taking painting lessons in the early 1970’s at Bea Mitchell’s home have left an interesting compilation of the area’s heritage by embracing Ellen’s idea to create a painted map.
Area resident Fran Wagstaff relates that the class consisted of Bea, Marge, Hazel, Nell, Ellen, Eva, Fran and “maybe even a few others”. The painted map covers two full sheets of plywood and shows from Louis Creek and the original Fadear Creek Mill site, north to Barriere and the surrounding area, as well as north to Chu Chua, and east into Squam Bay and the Heffley/Louis Creek Road.
Fran says her mom, Bea, was quite a cartoonist, as can be seen on the map by a number of humorous attachments by Bea, showing such scenarios as a bear chasing a man, a man pushing a truck stuck in the mud, and other little gems that you have to look for carefully.
The plywood maps were on display in the old Barriere Library for many years, but then, some time in the early 1990’s, they were moved and stored in the North Thompson Museum archives.
Most recently, Fran says the maps have been brought out again, but unfortunately the written index that coincides with the numbers on the map boards has not been found. This does cause some confusion as to just exactly what those numbers are marking on the maps, and to rectify the problem the museum is asking for help from area residents who were here during that era to help identify the marked places.
Barriere’s Communities In Bloom Committee chair, Virginia Smith, says this coming Sunday, the maps will be on display at the Heritage in Bloom Welcome to the Judges event being held at the Fall Fair Hall. Each table will have a sheet of paper with the numbers that coincide with those on the map, and all those attending the event are encouraged to see what they can match up with the map, and write down their findings.
Tickets to the event are free, and can be picked up at the District of Barriere, Royal LePage Westwin Realty and Armour Mountain Office Services.