Joshua H.

Saint John, New Brunswick

Anglophone West School District

Stone Cutters; carving out a place in history

Stone cutters have been carving things like caves, statues, building decoration and grave stones for centuries, but only one leaves a footprint of the people of our country: the stone cutters of grave markers. Living in the oldest incorporated city in Canada allows me to explore the stories of some of the oldest the stones in our country and their creators...so come take a walk with me and feel the stories of the stones...

 

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

I learned that the stone-cutting trade is still as important in Canada today as it was generations ago, even if the method in which it was done has changed. It was competitive trade but as I researched you could begin to tell the difference in styles of the cutters themselves. In attempting to carve my own initial in sandstone I was quick to learn that this was a very labour-intensive profession.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

That no matter how small or insignificant the place in history we think we hold, we all matter in the telling of the story of Canada. We are what makes her great and to learn about others and their part is important to our collective story.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

All though stone is cut by machinery and computer programs, the importance is no less than it was decades ago, as communities strive to remember the people just by a carved name only. What was considered hard work and a good days work for the pay they received would not have the same appeal today. Our ancestors worked hard to survive and our current generation work ethic has gotten slack and I wonder what history will say of us.