The Gale Carding Mill: an interview with Terri (née Gale) Dunphy and Don Gale

Photo of the Gale family circa 1944.
Photo courtesy of Don Gale.

Earlier this month, Heritage NL visited the West Coast and interviewed Terri and Don Gale about the Gale family and their family's carding mill in Millville. Terri and Don’s grandfather, Alexander Gale, started the original Gale’s carding mill during the 1890s. 

Gale's Carding Mill in 1971.
Photo from The Last Stronghold by Margaret Bennett.

The Gale’s mill would card wool from all over the province, arriving via train. The mill operated throughout the spring and summer, carding the wool from the shearing season. Terri Gale recounts that when she was a child in the 1940s, all the employees of the carding mill were women.  

Newspaper Clipping from the Western Star
September 20th 1905

Spinning bee in 1935, probably in Millville.
Photo courtesy of Don Gale.

Sending wool to be carded saved time, and yarn was used for creating knitted wares like blankets and knit clothes. Terri and Don recount that most families in the Codroy Valley owned sheep for wool and meat. 

Current Equipment in the Mill

The original mill from the 1890s ran using a waterwheel from water diverted from the nearby brook. During the 1940s, a new mill was constructed and a diesel generator was installed, replacing the waterwheel. Alex Gale left the Millville carding mill to his sons Edward and George Gale, who ran the business as Gale Brothers. 

Advertisement and instructions for the Gale Brothers Carding Mill
in the Western Star 1945.

The Gale carding mill closed in the 1970s.

For further listening check out Living Heritage Podcast Episode 186 on Carding and Weaving in Millville, Codroy Valley, here: http://www.ichblog.ca/2020/08/living-heritage-podcast-ep186-carding.html

You can read more about the Gale Carding Mill on Heritage NL's main website: https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/gale-carding-mill-registered-heritage-structure/

Living Heritage Podcast Ep235 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Cossack Making with Charlene Rumbolt and Katie Lee

Katie posing with her finished cotton duck tote bag. Photo courtesy of Charlene Rumbolt and Katie Lee.

In this episode we talk with mentor Charlene Rumbolt, and apprentice Katie Lee who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Charlene is the lead artist and knowledge keeper at the Great Caribou Studio in Mary's Harbour. A talented seamstress, she was a winner in the Senior Visual Arts division of Arts & Letters NL in 2019 and 2021. Charlene is a member of the NL Craft Council. She began sewing at 11 years old and has since made dresses, pants, handbags and more. Charlene has taught crafting and art for over twenty years, in both group and individual settings. For the last 12 years, after learning from elders in Nain and Hopedale, Charlene has been making the traditional Cossack/Dickie and the Akalik. Learn more about her work at Great Caribou Studio.

Katie's finished cossack (also known as a dickie). Photo courtesy of Charlene Rumbolt and Katie Lee.

Prior to the start of the program Katie had basic skills in cossack making and was intent on improving her abilities. Her artwork has been inspired by her Indigenous roots and she plans on making more traditional outerwear to carry on her ancestors traditional craft while simultaneously expressing her own creativity within her culture. She has previously worked at the Great Caribou Studio in Mary's Harbour.

Katie sewing her cotton duck tote bag. Photo courtesy of Charlene Rumbolt and Katie Lee.

Gale Carding Mill, Codroy Valley, designated as a Registered Heritage Structure

MILLVILLE, CODROY VALLEY - A historic wool carding mill, possibly the last remaining in the province, has received heritage designation as a Registered Heritage Structure by Heritage NL.

Located at a crossroads and along Granddaddy’s Brook, the Gale Carding Mill is a well-known landmark in the Codroy Valley.  Constructed around 1940 to house the Gale family’s carding mill, this two-storey, wooden building employs utilitarian design elements and is constructed using locally milled lumber.

Millville was established in 1897 when Alexander Gale started a wool carding business (later known as A. Gale and Sons) near Granddaddy’s Brook, close to the site of the present-day mill building. Gale built a dam and a water wheel on Granddaddy’s Brook to power the British-made, industrial carding machines he purchased in Nova Scotia. 1,000 pounds of fleece were carded in the first year of operation. 

An interview with Sir Edward Morris, following his visit to the Codroy Valley in 1908, reported that the carding mill was “run by a man and a little girl, and they turn out ten thousand pounds of wool annually.” By 1942 the existing mill was constructed and operated in conjunction with the original mill. While the original carding mill was powered by a water wheel, the new one was operated using a diesel generator. At top production, the Gales were producing about 500 pounds of carded wool per day up to a peak of 40,000 pounds annually. 

“This is an exciting project that shows the link between our architectural history and the strong heritage of craft and craft development in Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Dale Jarvis, Heritage NL Executive Director. “

“We look forward to working with the Gale family to see that this mill, and the heritage skills associated with it, continue on into the future.”

Heritage NL was established in 1984 to stimulate an understanding of and an appreciation for the historic places and living heritage of the province.

Listing on Heritage NL's register of heritage buildings:

https://heritagenl.ca/heritage-property/gale-carding-mill-registered-heritage-structure

Living Heritage Podcast Ep234 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Spruce Root Basketry with Danny White and Arlene White

Danny and Arlene collecting spruce roots.
Photo courtesy of Danny White and Arlene White.

In this episode we talk with mentor Danny White, and apprentice Arlene White who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Danny demonstrating how to make the basket mould.
Photo courtesy of Danny White and Arlene White.

Danny learned the teachings, stories, and process of basket making starting at the age of 12 from his father, Anthony White. Anthony was considered a master basket maker. Danny has taught courses and held exhibitions at Pow Wows, schools, and colleges. His work has been documented in newspapers, magazines, and videos.

Arlene White with the frame of her spruce root basket.
Photo courtesy of Danny White and Arlene White.

Arlene completed a course with Master Basket Maker Dan White in 2018. She has an understanding of how to dig spruce roots, and how to harvest some of the material. She has made two baskets but is interested in taking her knowledge to the next level in order to keep the skills alive, and pass it on to the next generation to ensure the tradition continues for years to come.

Living Heritage Podcast Ep233 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Weaving with Morgaine Parnham and Sylvie Mitford

Sylvie's loom set up for overshot weaving. Photo courtesy of Sylvie Mitford.

In this episode we talk with mentor Morgaine Parnham, and apprentice Sylvie Mitford who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Morgaine has been a practicing craftsperson for over 10 years. She graduated from the College of the North Atlantic Craft and apparel design program in 2012 majoring in Print and Dye, Surface Embellishment and Weaving. After graduation Morgaine held a studio at Quidi Vidi Village Artisan Studios. Later she moved to Bonavista to open her own craft shop and weaving studio. Aside from formal training Morgaine learned a lot from her mother who has been informally teaching Morgaine since she was a child. Morgaine has experience teaching group workshops to both adults and children.

Sylvie posing with her finished woven bedspread. Photo courtesy of Sylvie Mitford.

Sylvie has been interested in weaving since she was a teenager, and has moved from a simple handmade loom to a floor loom. She has woven scarves, wraps, blankets, tea towels and yardage. Sylvie is a knitter and sewer and also has an interest in natural dying. She wants to learn more advanced weaving techniques and weave structures, and also learn how to spin, and make use of the local wool from the sheep in Bonavista.

One of Sylvie's finished products! Photo courtesy of Sylvie Mitford.

Living Heritage Podcast Ep232 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Letterpress Printing with Marnie Parsons and Abby Hann

Abby showing off her work outside Marnie's press and shop, Running the Goat.
Photo submitted by Marnie Parsons and Abby Hann.

In this episode we talk with mentor Marnie Parsons, and apprentice Abby Hann who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Abby preparing her ink for printing. Photo submitted by Marnie Parsons and Abby Hann.

Marnie first learned letterpress printing from Tara Bryan, who invited her to her studio in the summer of 2000. After working for several years in Tara’s shop, Marnie set up her own letterpress studio in her home in St. John’s. She then moved her shop to Tors Cove in 2013, where it remains. The shop is open to visitors throughout the year.

Abby getting ready to set the type. Photo submitted by Marnie Parsons and Abby Hann.

Abby graduated with a Bachelor of Fine arts from NSCAD University in Halifax in 2020. During her degree she focused on printmaking, primarily using the relief technique. Since then, Abby has maintained a prolific printmaking practice from her home studio and small printing press. Abby has participated in artist residencies in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and South Africa, while exhibiting prints in multiple solo and group exhibitions.

Check out the episode here:

Heritage Update for June 2023 - New plaques, old memories, and a herd of Lop Chops invades Centreville

Howard House Registered Heritage Structure, St. John's

In the Heritage Update for June 2023: Heritage NL and the St. George’s Indian Band unveil a new bilingual English and Mi’kmaq plaque for the St. George’s Courthouse; as part of the 2023 Winter Carnival in Centreville-Wareham-Trinity and Indian Bay, Heritage NL was asked to lead a Memory Mug Up afternoon at the Wareham church hall; Heritage NL's exhibition proposal for The Early Lebanese Community in Newfoundland receives funding as part of Digital Museums Canada; a herd of Lop Chops and Horsey Chops take over Centreville; and several of our Registered Heritage Structures receive funding through Heritage NL's Maintenance Grant program. 

Download the pdf at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sGRsI0BsjSChfaRskN4s8RN9LC6ubSTY/view?usp=share_link

Living Heritage Podcast Ep231 Mentor-Apprentice Program: Birch Broom Making with Richard and Michelle Park

Michelle and Richard holding two birch brooms at the Gilliams History Society Museum in Gilliams, NL. Photo courtesy of Heritage NL.

In this episode we talk with mentor Richard Park, and apprentice Michelle Park who are two participants of Heritage NL’s Mentor-Apprentice Program.

Richard Park is a retired teacher who was first exposed to the birch broom in 1957 while teaching in the community of Fox Roost-Margaree. Later in 1979 in Francois, he learned the skills to make birch brooms from a fisherman in the community. He has been making birch brooms since, and has made several brooms including many as gifts.

Richard demonstrating how to "run" a birch broom.
Photo courtesy of Richard Park and Michelle Park.

Michelle is a history teacher with an interest in local history and folklore. Since the age of 10 she has watched her father make birch brooms as gifts for family and friends, as well as for the family’s own use. Michelle’s experience was admittedly limited; she helped make brooms in the past and was looking to refine the skill.

The pair offered a Build Your Own Birch Broom (BYOBB) program at the Gillams Historical Society Museum on Wednesdays in August of 2022.

Richard Park holding a spruce root basket, Eileen Murphy holding a birch broom.
Eileen was a mentor in spruce root basketry and she stopped by Richard and Michelle's BYOBB program this summer. 
Photo courtesy of Richard Park and Michelle Park.

St. George’s Courthouse to Receive New Bilingual Plaque

Join Heritage NL and the St. George’s Indian Band as we present a new bilingual English and Mi’kmaq plaque for the St. George’s Courthouse, now the K'Taqmkuk Mi'Kmaq Historical Museum and Indian Band council office. The plaque presentation will take place during an open house for the K'Taqmkuk Mi'Kmaq Historical Museum.

When:      Sunday, June 4, 2023, at 2-4 p.m. 

Where:     183 Main Street, St. George’s, NL

“Heritage NL is pleased to announce a new heritage plaque for the St. George’s Courthouse, as it represents two themes that are not as strongly represented in the catalogue of Registered Heritage Structures: the West Coast of the island and our Indigenous heritage,” says Dr. Lisa Daly, Chair of the Heritage NL board. 

“Heritage NL has much work to do to better represent all people of our province, and being able to present the St. George’s Courthouse with a plaque in both English and Mi’kmaq is a small step we can take to acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous history and heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The St. George’s Courthouse is a strong example of the Second Empire style courthouses constructed in the early 20th century by Public Works, and represents St. George’s significance as an early population centre on the West Coast. Throughout the courthouse's 115 year history, it has been used as a community space as a polling station, for dances and public meetings, and now as the K'Taqmkuk Mi'Kmaq Historical Museum. Through the ongoing efforts of the St. George’s Band Council, the courthouse is now a place for the protection and celebration of Mi'kmaq history and culture. 

"We have been working to focus on underrepresented areas, with staff recently on the West Coast to assess currently registered structures and some that have the potential to be recognized,” says Daly. 

“Our recent Heritage Skills Training Program allowed us the opportunity to pair mentors and apprentices across the province, including numerous Indigenous participants who are passing on their traditional skills and intangible cultural heritage to the next generation.”

St. George’s Courthouse Plaque Text:

Built 1903-1904

Recognizable for its curved roof and central tower, this

courthouse shares a similar design with several others built

across the island during this period. It also served as a post

office, meeting space, and as a spot for community dances.

The building is now the Indian Band Council Office and

ktaqmkuk Mi'Kmaw Historical Museum.

Kisitasiks 1903-1904

Weji nenmɨk ta’n teli upmik poqwatikn aqq miawe’k

kini’skwik espɨtek, ula courthouse telik nkutey pukwelkl

pilue’l kisitasiksɨpn kame’k minikuk net tele’kek. E’wasiksɨp

wjit Post Office, Etl mawteskatultimk, aqq wjit i’tliamalkaltimk.

Nekmowey na nike’ ewasik wjit L’nueyey Band

Council Office aqq Ktaqmkuk Mi’kmaw Historical Museum.