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Peter Nichol 1911 -1985
Born in Russia in 1911, Peter Nichol found his way to Renfrew County in 1955 as an employee of Atomic Energy of Canada. A man of diverse work experience, he became perhaps best known for his talent as a sculptor in wood.
In 1972, together with his wife Margery, he opened the Driftwood Museum in Rolphton Ontario. Here he displayed his artistry. The rising and falling of the waterline of the Ottawa River above the Rolphton Hydro dam and the incessant wave action produced an abundance of tree stumps and roots which became the raw material for Peter's work. Scavenging among these roots, Peter was able to identify images not seen by others which he would then "free" by cutting away the superfluous material. The resulting sculptures, sanded, varnished, and highly polished were admired not only in the museum but at Arts and Crafts shows across Ontario. Peter also created exceptional Owl carvings from Stag horn Sumac. Many of these became presentation pieces to such people as singer Paul Anka, Ontario Premier Bill Davis, and Quebec Premier Bourassa.
In 1985 Peter passed away following a long illness and his wife continued to operate the Driftwood Museum. On 12 october 2002, the building which also served as the Nichol residence was destroyed in a fire which, sadly also took the life of Margery Nichol.