Page 12 - Giv'er Miramichi Magazine - Christmas Issue 2022

Old-Fashioned Winter Fun in Miramichi

by Barbara MacIntosh, from the files of the Miramichi Historical Society.

Get out in the great outdoors! It’s snowshoeing in a full-length skirt made Look closely at the snowshoes in
not only a 21st century admonition to of heavy wool weighted down by a the photos, only slightly different from
enjoy our Canadian winter. snow laden hem. Exhausting! Men's today's design but what a difference in
In the 1890s, when snow fell and clothing, at first glance, has not changed material and weight. Bent wood and
the Miramichi River froze, the urge to much in style: coat or jacket, trousers sinew lacings have been replaced by
get outdoors and enjoy the season was and sturdy boots topped off with a wool aluminum and nylon and quick release
the same as it is today. or fur hat. But so much bulkier and fastenings. The change in skates is more
All ages skated, snowshoed, curled, confining when made of wool rather dramatic. In the 1890s detachable skate
sailed ice boats on the frozen river, slid than the synthetic fibres of 2022. blades were strapped to ordinary boots,
down hills and generally embraced the varying only in length according to the
winter season. The giant toboggan slide size of the boot, and were often
in Millerton was popular and homemade. Today a wide variety of
impressive! A curving snow-covered warm and comfortable boot and blade
run from the top of a large hill with a combinations are available, designed
wooden launching platform drew for the ice sport played, be it an expert
crowds for the thrill of speeding down or novice, child, or adult and with a
the snowy pathway. colour choice.
Winter clothing in the 1890s But what stays the same is the same
featured heavy woolen Melton cloth in the white snow, the same crisp cold air
dark serviceable colours, elaborate fur and the fun and pleasure to be had
coats, itchy woolen hats and scarves, during a Miramichi winter.
and leather boots. These were a long The historical society meets five to
way from the lightweight, warm, six times a year and welcomes new
waterproof, windproof and colourful members. For information email
clothing of today. Imagine skating and miramichihistoricalsociety@rogers.com

12 www.GiverMiramichi.com Christmas 2022