Monday, July 26, 2010

Peaceful Portraits of the Peace

On Heritage Day, August 2nd, the Museum will be conducting two interpretive strolls (11 am or 2pm) through Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Peace River. Your guides will be highlighting historic personalities buried on these grounds.

One of the early settlers buried at Mount Pleasant is well-known Pierre Gauvreau, who was born in 1888 and came to Peace River in 1911 with his wife, Mae, to become the first telegraph officer in the town. He remained in Peace River until his death in 1966. One of Pierre's persistent projects was the grave of Henry Fuller "12 Foot" Davis. He is pictured here sitting beside the grave that he helped to restore and to look after. It is also said that he supported Jim Cornwall in moving the remains of Mr. Davis to its current site overlooking the Town of Peace River.

Pierre loved Peace River and was quoted as saying:
“The lure of the north cannot be defined, suffice to say, but the oldtimer, the pioneer in every sense of the word, remains to watch the result of his work and faith unfold itself before his very eyes.”

Please join us with sturdy footwear on August 2nd at 11am-12pm or 2-3 pm to meet the fascinating figures of Peace River's past!
Remember to dress for the weather!

2 comments:

Ethan S said...

Wow! I love reading about my Great Grandfather. My dad tells me he was a professional hockey player too. I hope to travel to Peace River someday and visit.

Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre said...

Thanks Ethan! I'm glad you found our blog. And I hope you are able to come to Peace River and see us as well. I didn't know he played hockey. We do have a picture of him with a curling broom, but it's always interesting to hear new facts about our early pioneers.