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Peter White

On May 24, 1828, Peter White became the first European to settle in Pembroke. Artist Robert Garneau depicts him with his daughter Elizabeth, and his wife, Cecilia Thomson, outside their log cabin.

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The Lumbering Industry

Logging, the area`s oldest industry, still plays a vital part in Pembroke`s business and culture. This mural was painted with the help of the public and under the direction of artist David Yeatman, during the 1994 International Plowing Match held in Renfrew County.

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Pointer Boats

Craig Campbell`s mural presents the unique style of logging boat that was manufactured in Pembroke by the Cockburn family for over 100 years. They can still be seen today in a series of races throughout the Ottawa Valley and at the local Champlain Trail Museum.

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Old Time Fiddling and Step Dancing

This mural is a lively and jubilant illustration of Fiddling and Step Dancing past and present. Painted by John Ellenberger in 1995 as a significant part of the 20th Anniversary Championships held in Pembroke every Labour Day Weekend.

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Hockey Players

Artist Stefan (Cesare) Bell, pays tribute to three Pembroke sons who were among the original inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame. In the 1920`s, Frank Nighbor played for the Ottawa Senators, Harry Cameron for the Saskatoon St. Pat`s and Hugh Lehman for Vancouver.

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Pembroke Street Lights (Click to Enlarge)

In 1884 Pembroke became the first community in Canada to have commercial electric street lighting and a town hall lit with electricity. This mural, by Pierre Hardy, features the first 3 generations of street light styles in a scene of Pembroke Street in the 1920`s.

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The Canadian Armed Forces at the Ready

Artist Robin Burgesse presents a collage of images that illustrate the history of Canada`s Armed Forces in conflict and United Nations peace keeping actions since 1914. Pembroke is adjacent to Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.

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Pembroke Swallows-Canada's Capistrano (Click to Enlarge)

Pembroke`s first mural. Neil Blackwell brings to life the famous swallows which return annually to the Pembroke area. The work for this mural was commissioned by Purvis Gallery & Framing, Ltd., of Pembroke.

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The Town Smithy

Pembroke`s blacksmith shop, once located on Miller Street beside S.J. Webb`s bakery, was run by John Groehl. This mural shows John Groehl at work in his shop in 1952. This mural was completed in 1994 by artist John Ellenberger.

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Marguerite d'Youville and her Mission

Born in Varennes, P.Q., on October 15,1701, Marguerite d`Youville founded the Grey Nuns community that still serves Pembroke and the world today. She was canonized on December 9, 1990 by Pope John Paul II as Canada`s first native-born Saint. This Pierre Hardy mural is Canada`s largest 3 dimensional mural and the only one to incorporate lit stained glass windows.

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S.J. Webb Bakery

Pierre Hardy presents one former Pembroke enterprise to pay tribute to the many family businesses that built the Ottawa Valley. Mrs. Webb operated the bakery, and a store, for many years after her husband died.

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The Great Fire of 1918 (Click to Enlarge)

The Great Fire of 1918. Mural Artist David Yeatman takes you back in time with this spectacular mural completed in September 1993. It was called the worst fire in Pembroke`s history. By the time it had ended most of Pembroke`s business community had been wiped out. Despite the heavy loss of property and personal possessions it seems remarkable that no lives were lost.

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The SteamBoat

North panel, looking at old Pembroke skyline from the helm of Captain Murphy's ferry, the W. L. Murphy. the Captain is illustrated, pipe in mouth, with passenger Del Rosamund - a former Captain of the Fire Department.
Artist: K. Marois, 1995

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The Steam Boat

West panel, profiling Captain Morris of the S.S. Pontiac which brought farmers from Allumette Island, Quebec (shown), to the Pembroke Market. the Alex Fraser is being repaired in the dry dock: foreground illustrates the marine railroad.
Artist: K. Marois, 1995

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The Steam Boat

A three panel mural, this east wall panel illustrates the one day a week during the summer when steam and paddle boats became pleasure boats. The John Egan is dwarfed by Oiseau Rock at sunset while people are dancing and enjoying an evening cruise.
Artist: K. Marois, 1995

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Champlain Trail

In 1613, Samuel de Champlain was the first European traveller to arrive at the site on which Pembroke is now situated. This unusual mural shows four framed pictures hanging in a Victorian parlour, complete with old style wallpaper.
Artist: P. Hardy, 1991

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Pembroke Hydro Museum

In 1884, Pembroke was the first community to have commercial electric street lights. To the left are Queen Victoria and Prime Minister Sir John A. MacDonald, the rulers of the day. Centre shows the first generating plant located across from what is now City Hall. During the day it operated as a grist mill and at night, an electric plant. To the right are W.H. Moffat, mayor of Pembroke in 1884 and W.B MacAllister, the founder of electric light. The Hydro Museum is located at the side of this building.
Artist: R. Chester, 1990

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Spring Harvest: An Artist's Sketchbook

The artist positions himself with the loggers, capturing them at work, and educating the viewer in the methods and tools of the workers. At 112 feet long, Pembroke's longest mural was completed in August, 1990.
Artist: R. Burgesse, 1990

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The Ice House

Every winter ice was cut from the Ottawa River and stacked in a log building nearly 50 feet high. Packed in sawdust for insulation, the ice was sold year round to area hotels, restaurants and residents.
Artist: P.Hardy, 1991

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" A Celebration of Rural Living"

Proud hosts of the 1994 International Plowing Match, September 20-24.

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Grand Trunk Union Station 1914-1960

Pembroke was the junction of several railway lines in the early 1900's. This mural illustrates Union Station in full operation in the 1950's. 1958-1960 was the last great show of steam locomotives in the Upper Ottawa Valley.
Artist: Robin Burgesse, 1996

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The Unity Mural

Since the first settlers, people have lived and worked side by side in the Upper Ottawa Valley, Ontario and Quebec. This mural illustrates the diversity of people who call this region home. The bridge was built connecting Pontiac County, Quebec and Renfrew County, Ontario in 1955-56, and was officially opened in 1957. This was at the end of the steam transportation era. Up to then and for 100 years, steam boats served as taxis during the spring until fall and an ice bridge was used in winter to transport people, farm produce, wagons and horses across the Ottawa River. Luke Faught, a WWII Veteran and long time member of Legion Branch 72, is shown here and represents individuals who have served their Country and Community over the years. The Unity Mural "flys" symbolically over the other murals.
Mural Design donated by: Barbara Blackstein
Mural Artist: Marallyn Saffery, 1998

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Pansy Patch Park: (Click to Enlarge)

An 8 acre island in the Muskrat River was transformed into a garden sanctuary 1925-1950 by Mrs. Annie Gray Keith. Queen Juliana's children played here while visiting during WWII. Donated to the city in 1962. Sponsor; Pembroke Horticultural Society.
Artist:  David Yeatman, 1999

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The Irish Play (Click to Enlarge)

The Columbus Dramatic Club, established in 1900, boasts they have never repeated a play. An annual event full of fun and antics by the dedicated cast. Sponsor: Knights of Columbus
Artist: Marilyn Saffery, 1999

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The Old Gas Pump (Click to Enlarge)

Hugo G. TerMarsch, owner of Shell Fuel & Oil, is having a friendly visit with A.J. Green who is driving a 1946 Mercury. Mr. Green owned a Ford Lincoln dealership and sold Texaco Gasoline.
Sponsors: Calvin TerMarsch, Beverly Green
Artist: Robin Burgesse, 1999

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The Grocer (Click to Enlarge)

At the turn of the century, an entrepeneur established east and west end business known as Cooper's Two Grocery Stores. "Old and new friends will always find a welcome". Donations: T.D. Bank, Mr. & Mrs. H Clark
Artist: Karole Marois, 1999

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Thomas Pink 1841-1925 (Click to Enlarge)

For 60 years Thomas Pink played a prominent role in the life of Pembroke. Known across Canada for the Thos. Pink Co. Ltd 1866, Founders Blacksmiths & Machinists. First person in Pembroke to own an automobile.
Artist: Karole Marois, 1999

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CPR Water Tower (Click to Enlarge)

This unique 360º mural encompasses the vibrant history of CP Rail's steam locomotives in conjunction with Consolidated Lumber Company Ltd.
Artist: John Ellenberger, 2000

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Mackay Street Arena 1905-1951 (Click to Enlarge)

 

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The Timber Raft (Click to Enlarge)

Circa early 1880's this is a tribute to the era of timber rafts on the Ottawa River.  A free-standing mural with three dimensional components, is a collective achievement by many people and stands as a grand entrance to Pembroke's waterfront.

Artist:  Pierre Hardy, 2004

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A Century of Serivce 1896 - 1997

A tribute to one hundred years of health care excellance. In 1896, six women planned and raised funds to build the Pembroke Cottage Hospital, opened in 1902 on Dixon Street. It quickly became too small, so they continued to work towards a second hospital that opened on October 25th 1923 on Cecelia Street. Their work continues today as the Alexandra Club. The likenesses of these ladies is included here along with a figure of a Mason representing the significant contribution of the Pembroke Masonic Lodge over the years.The Hospital was renamed The Pembroke Civic Hospital in later years.
Artist: Karole Marois, 2006

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Bring back the memories…a commemorative mural that pays tribute to the era and the people during the first half of the twentieth century. Owned for decades by Wm. Bogart [1879-1971] and son Art [1912-95]. Pembroke Scouts represent the numerous championship teams and superb hockey players Pembroke produced over the years. Postcard sponsored by Dennis Corrigan Photographs

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