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dc.contributor.authorD'Arienzo, Joan
dc.date.accessioned2010-10-28T16:58:55Z
dc.date.available2010-10-28T16:58:55Z
dc.date.issued2010-10-28
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10464/3095
dc.descriptionDuring the 1950’s, the Rittenhouse family of Vineland in the Niagara Peninsula opened a craft store and studio. Within a short period of time, they realized that resources for the craft of rug hooking were in demand and they began to build their business around this niche. Edna Rittenhouse, the mother, was the wool dyer; Margaret Rowan, the daughter, was the pattern designer; Ted Rowan, the son-in-law, changed careers and became the manager of the family business. The 1960’s were a prosperous time, not only in the Niagara Peninsula, but also for the Rittenhouse business. Edna Rittenhouse had been hooking rugs for decades but she and her family worked at developing and sharing newer techniques with newer materials. Shading manuals were authored and published; students became teachers; creativity abounded in the demand for and the creation of new designs. Instead of using woolen yarn, they were using pure woolen fabric; instead of using a standard cutter, they began using a uniquely designed cutter; instead of using frames, they employed a table top method. The new material and technique resulted in a rug with a smooth, uniform texture and a soft nap. Since many crafters belonged to crafters guilds, Margaret and Ted Rowan began promoting the idea of a guild for rug hookers and in time the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild was also a reality. A joint project between Chatelaine magazine and the Rittermere studio for Canada’s centennial year of 1967 was extremely well received within the circle of hooking crafters and the Rittermere Farm Craft Studio became a North American landmark for crafters. From this point onward the studio had a large customer base not only in North America but also overseas. The studio remained popular until 1984 when Margaret and Ted Rowan decided to retire. The Rittermere name has been preserved in the name of Rittermere-Hurst-Field which is a similar business located in Aurora which is just north of Toronto.en_US
dc.description.abstractThis archive is comprised of material relating to the craft of rug hooking and the Rittenhouse family’s involvement in the craft. The Rittenhouse family ran a successful business known as the Rittermere Farm Craft Studio as well as being the driving force behind the formation of the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild. Edna Rittenhouse was a lifelong crafter and her daughter and son-in-law worked with her to develop new materials and techniques for the craft. Design creation was also one of their specialties.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries;RG 312
dc.subjectRugs, Hookeden_US
dc.subjectRittermere Farm Craft Studioen_US
dc.subjectHookingen_US
dc.subjectOntario Hooking Craft Guilden_US
dc.subjectRittenhouse, Ednaen_US
dc.subjectRowan, Margaret Rittenhouseen_US
dc.subjectRowan, Ted (Edward C.)en_US
dc.subjectBeamsville (Ont.) -- History -- Sourcesen_US
dc.titleRittermere Farm Craft Studio Fonds, 1951-2006en_US
dc.typeOtheren_US
refterms.dateFOA2021-07-30T02:11:34Z


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    These finding aids are meant to help researchers find information in the fonds and collections available at the Brock University Archives & Special Collections

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