Like many Maritime communities, Yarmouth, NS, has a proud sea-faring history, and many of its buildings reflect the beauty and craftsmanship of the prosperous times. And, as with many small towns, there’s a sense of nostalgia for an era when bustling main streets were made up of family-owned stores, supporting the rural economy.

In celebration of Yarmouth’s 250th anniversary this year, “Doorways of Yarmouth,” a large hooked wall hanging, was designed and created by some 30 members of Yarmouth’s two rug hooking groups, combining past memories and present connections. The 24 doors depicted within two panels represent various aspects of Yarmouth life, public and private, celebrating its history, culture and architecture.

Shirley Bradshaw, president of one of the rug hooking groups, the Carpetbaggers, recalls the initial planning back in December 2009. “We wanted to do something special for the anniversary, and we came up with the idea of using the many interesting doors of buildings and such.”

Ann Durkee, president of the other group—the Rugg Bees—says members were enthusiastic about working together right from the beginning. “For many of them, there was a personal connection to the door they chose.”

Getting ‘er done

Rug hooking has had a strong and active following in the Yarmouth area for more than 30 years. Every Thursday morning the Carpetbaggers meet; the Rugg Bees meet on Wednesday evenings. Lively conversations are often about their projects, sometimes there’s business to tend to, and other times, it’s just a weekly visit with friends.

While Doorways of Yarmouth is remarkable to view, its production timeline is also impressive: the undertaking moved from concept to reality in slightly more than a year, indicating the focus and energy of the two groups.

There are doors of churches and museums, residences and businesses, a fishing shanty and a ferry. Both Yarmouth town and county locations are included. Some rug hookers had a tie to a local museum or to a particular store no longer in operation; others chose the door of the church they attend.

Leslie Cranley-Blades hooked the image of the Cosmos Imperial Mills, where her father had worked when she was growing up. Two young girls, Leslie and her sister, are standing with him in the doorway frame.

Ann Jones wanted to capture the history of ferry service to and from Yarmouth when she chose to hook the MV Bluenose unloading passengers.

“This was, is and will always be a significant doorway of Yarmouth, even though we don’t have a ferry service at present,” Ann says. “The door on the ship is open—the door the cars come through as they arrive here in Yarmouth—and I thought that was very important symbolically.”

Within the first few months of 2010, Barb Jess, a Carpetbagger member, photographed the potential buildings to be used. With a keen eye for the overall mat design, she determined the initial placement of images on the panels (group members had input as the project progressed), and the mat was underway.

As the panels moved from member to member throughout 2010, the mat took shape; with completion in sight, additional hookers assisted in the finishing work. The rich blue background of the mat represents the sea and a stylized vine motif is worked into the design of each panel—a feature taken from the etched glass in the doors of Murray Manor, one of Yarmouth’s prominent old homes.

“Really, it’s been a labour of love,” says Shirley. “Lots of work but we’re truly proud of it. We wanted to display it throughout the area this year and that’s what we’ve done.” Indeed, Doorways of Yarmouth has been displayed in many locations, including the Acadia First Nation band office, Musée des Acadiens des Pubnicos, and visitor information centres. In November it will hang in the lobby of Yarmouth Regional Hospital, rounding out the year at the Yarmouth County Museum. When the tour has finished, the work will be displayed permanently in the Yarmouth Town Hall.