Waterloo County Hooked Rugs

Title: Waterloo County Hooked Rugs oral history project

Dates of creation: 1982-1991

Physical description: 2 cm of textual records ; 2 photographs (col.) ; 198 slides (col.) ; 30 audio cassettes

Administrative history: Debra Meeks conducted research surrounding Mennonite hooked rug makers from 1982-1985. She spoke with Mennonite hooked rug makers from three Mennonite groups (Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Québec, Markham-Waterloo Mennonite Conference and Old Order Mennonites) in Waterloo County.

Custodial history: Donated to the Archives by Debra Meeks in 1991

Scope and content: Consists of audio cassettes, photographs, transcripts, and notes made by Debra Meeks during the course of her research. Handwritten notes and transcripts (partial) of interviews, most with Mennonite women, detail techniques, traditions, and influences that shaped the evolution of rug making in the Waterloo Region. Sketches of rug patterns are also documented within the notes. Timestamps of interview sections and references to numbered slides which depict rugs are referenced throughout the notes. Particular note is made of discussions regarding generational influences on rug making styles and practices, family traditions, and inspiration for rugmaking.

Notes: Participant names were anonymized by the interviewer.
Original archival description created 2021 by Sophia Grande-Lawlor and edited by Laureen Harder-Gissing.

File list:

1. Mrs. M. (Old Order), 23 Mar 1983 - June 1985
   Note: Mrs. M. is an Old Order Mennonite. File consists of two audio cassettes from 19 August 1982 and interview notes from 23 Mar 1983 - June 1985.
2. Mrs. A. M., 30 Mar 1983
   Note: Mrs. A.M. is a member of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Québec. File consists interview notes, 9 slides, and two audio cassettes.
3. M.M.A. (Old Order), 25 Aug 1982
   Note: M MA is an Old Order Mennonite. File consists of interview notes, four slides, and one audio cassette.
4. E.N., 24 July 1982-14 Apr 1983
   Note: File consists of interview notes from 24 July 1982-14 Apr 1983, fifteen slides, and one audio cassette from July 24 1982.
5. M.G. and daughter Catherine (Ontario Conference), 23 Feb 1983
   Note: MG and her daughter are members of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Québec. File consists of interview notes, four slides, and one audio cassette.
6. F.E.K. mother and daughter, 26 Feb 1983
   Note: File consists of interview notes, sixteen slides, and one audio cassette.
7. Mrs. S.K. (Ontario Conference), 23 Feb 1983-3 Feb 1985
   Note: Mrs. SK is a member of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Québec. File consists of interview notes from 23 Feb 1983-3 Feb 1985 and one audio cassette from 22 Feb 1983.
8. L.F. (Martin's Church, Markham-Waterloo), 20 Aug 1982-13 June 1985
   Note: LF is a member of the Markham-Waterloo Mennonite Conference worshipping at Martin's meetinghouse in St. Jacobs. File consists of interview notes from 20 Aug 1982-13 June 1985, eight slides, and two audio cassettes from 20 Aug 1982.
9. Ed M. (Old Order), [198-]
   Note: Ed M is an Old Order Mennonite. File consists of interview notes and six slides.
10. Mrs. A.M. and daughter (Old Order), 25 Mar 1983
    Note: Mrs. AM and her daughter are Old Order Mennonites. File consists of interview notes and nine slides.
11. E.S. (Ontario Conference), 30 July 1982-13 June 1985
    Note: E.S. is a member of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Québec. File consists of interview notes from 30 July 1982-13 June 1985, eight slides, and two audio cassettes from 30 July 1982 and 13 June 1983.
12. M.M., 28 July 1982-6 Apr 1983
    Note: File consists of interview notes from 28 July 1982-6 April 1983, nineteen slides, and one audio cassette from 28 July 1982.
13. Mrs. S, 22 Feb 1983
    Note: File consists of interview notes and eleven slides.
14. Mrs. M, 19 Aug 1982
    Note: File consists of interview notes and nineteen slides.
15. G.H. (Ontario Conference), 18 Aug 1982-31 Dec 1985
    Note: G.H. is a member of the Mennonite Conference of Ontario and Québec. File consists of interview notes from 18 Aug 1982-31 Dec 1985, six slides, and three audio cassettes from 12 June 1985.
16. Mrs. B and daughter, 24 June 1985
    Note: File consists of interview notes and three slides.
17. W.H.M., 16 July 1983
    Note: File consists of interview notes and two audio cassettes.
18. E.G., 23 Feb 1983-31 Dec 1985
    Note: File consists of interview notes from 23 Feb 1983-31 Dec 1985, two slides, and two audio cassettes from 23 Feb 1983.
19. M.A.M. (Martin's Church, Markham-Waterloo), 5 Aug 1982-13 June 1985
    Note: M.A.M. is a member of the Markham-Waterloo Mennonite Conference worshipping at Martin's meetinghouse in St. Jacobs. File consists of interview notes from 5 Aug 1982-13 June 1985, sixteen slides, and three audio cassettes from 5 Aug 1982, 13 June 1985, and 14 July 1983.
20. S.B., 27 July 1982-8 June 1985
    Note: File consists of interview notes from 27 July 1982-8 June 1985, seven slides, two photographs, and four audio cassettes from 5 Aug 1982, 14 July 1983, and 5 Aug 1982.
21. Mrs. K., [198-]
    Note: File consists of interview notes and seven slides
22. I.K., 23 Feb 1983
    Note: File consists of five slides and one audio cassette
23. R.S., [198-]
    Note: File consists of nine slides
24. U.M.G., [198-]
    Note: File consists of four slides
25. Mag M., [198-]
    Note: File consists of four slides
26. Letter of donation from Debra Meeks, 29 Apr 1991