Historical Mural unveiled in St. Andrews West.
St. Andrews West, Stormont County’s most historic four corners became even more interesting with the unveiling a 8’ x 10’ mural, yesterday, Labour Day (September 4, 2023) before a crowd of 60 or more people.
Event coordinator Don McIntosh is seen (in the photo above) in front of the 8′ x 10″ mural on the barn behind the General Store in St. Andrews West. The original painting on the right was blown-up by Long Graphics to create this barn wall size mural. The tartan covers a plaque explaining the vignettes depicted in the mural.
This dynamic mural depicts the history of St. Andrews through four vignettes starting with its founding by United Empire Loyalists in 1784. The mural shows the settlers being led to their new home on the Riviere aux Raisin by Mohawks from St. Regis under the guidance of Father Roderick McDonell. The second scene shows the village became a centre of Catholic education through the Convent run by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Ontario’s first premier, John Sandfield Macdonald, responsible for reforming the Ontario’s education system is shown offering a textbook to a student. Macdonald and his wife Christina Waggaman are both buried here. The fourth image shows local man Simon Fraser accompanied by Indigenous guides, who made his 1808 cross Canada journey of exploration to the Pacific Ocean a success. Fraser and his wife Catherine MacDonell are also buried here.
The mural was Commissioned by the Cornwall Township Historical Society and painted by award winning artist Laura Stevens of Finch.
Cornwall Township Historical Society member Don McIntosh, led a three year campaign for the creation of St. Andrews’ history mural. Don is seen (in the header photo) standing with artist Laura Stevens, next to the original painting, at the Labour Day unveiling ceremony.
The work was sponsored by the United Counties of SDG, Township of South Stormont, Knights of Columbus – St. Andrews Council 10416, Guindon Law, Pharamasave – Time Square, Respect RX Pharmacy, The Quinn Family, Long Graphics and Eastern Sign Service.
