The Remsheg Rug Hookers

Interest in traditional rug hooking by several women in the Wallace area culminated in the forming of the Remsheg Rug Hookers Group in 1994. From that time and many new members later, the Remsheg Rug Hookers have gathered once a week at the Wallace and Area Museum to share their passion for the craft as they hook individual pieces or participate in a group based project to be donated to various organizations for fund raising efforts.

Each August a Hook-In is held outdoors on the beautiful grounds of the museum and rug-hookers from all across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are invited to attend. The Remsheg Rug Hookers gather every Thursday at the Wallace Area Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and always welcome new faces whether they be visiting rug-hookers from other areas or those wishing to learn the craft.

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In 1995 the members undertook the making of a cookbook to raise money for the Wallace and Area Museum. The membership consisted of: Effie Delay - President, Ann Ross - Secretary Treasurer, Sarah Ladd - Secretary, Elizabeth Barbour, Catherine Bennett, Betty Brown, Effie Brown, Joyce Cove, Joan Fuller, Joyce Gillard, Penny Lighthall, Ida Young, Bernadette Cooper, Nancy Kmera, Dorothy McIver, Bernice Beattie, Janine Rohac, and Marilyn Guy.

(Left) Sarah Ladd and Effie Delay discussing the mat that was hooked by the members and donated to the Wallace museum. (Right) In 1995 Sarah Ladd designed and hooked a rug called "All Creatures Great and Small". The $800 from the sale of this rug was donated to the L. A. Animal Shelter.

(Left) In 1999 Barbara Clark designed a rug which was hooked by the Remsheg Rug Hookers to raise money for the L. A. Animal Shelter. (Right) In 2000 Barbara Clark and Sarah Ladd designed a rug which was hooked by the members to raise money for the Malagash Heritage Association for the Salt Mine Museum.

(Left) In 2002 Barb Clark and Elizabeth Barbour holding canvas to be hooked as a joint project to raise money for the Wallace and Area Museum. (Right) Sarah Ladd hooked the lighthouse, Phyllis O'Connell the seagull, Barbara Clark the fishing schooner, Betty Byers the blue heron, Ida Young the lupins and Donna Johnson the Canada goose. A cheque of over $1,000 was presented to the Wallace and Area Museum at the annual Remsheg Rug Hook-In which was held in the museum garden.

(Left) In 2004 Sarah Ladd suggested a possible design for another rug project to raise money for the Cyrus Eaton Elementary School playground equipment. Barbara Clark designed the rug which was then hooked by the Remsheg Rug Hookers. (Right) Also in 2004 Barbara Clark designed a rug pattern of the creamery in Tatamagouche. This rug is presently being hooked by the Remsheg members in order to raise funds for the planned Tatamagouche Creamery renovations.

The 10th anniversary celebration of the Remsheg Rug Hookers was held in the garden of the Wallace Area Museum in 2004. The following founding members were honored: From left to right (front row) Joan Fuller, Betty Brown, Bernadette Cooper and Ida Young. (Back row) Joyce Cove, Ann Ross, Penny Lighthall, Sarah Ladd and Janine Rohac.

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Article written by Marilyn Williams and Zella Perry with additional pictures supplied by Barbara Clark and Sarah Ladd.