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Life and leisure

The many small villages of the region offered early settlers a multitude of diversions. Churches hosted a variety of community activities and schools were quickly established throughout the region. As well, people could look forward to impromptu gatherings at local businesses and a never-ending supply of outdoor activities.

For certain activities, several farming families would join together and help each other, forming what we now call work bees: to saw the wood in late winter or early spring, to bring in the grain and the corn at harvest time, to process the wool from their sheep into clothing, or to build new barns. These work bees were important to weaving the social fabric of the region.

The proximity of the Gatineau Valley made it a natural place for a day's outing for people living in Ottawa. Consequently, tourism developed quickly in the region, with hotels, boarding houses, and cottages constructed along the numerous lakes and rivers. Winter activities such as skiing or skating, and summer activities such as swimming, were common as early as the beginning of the 20th century. From this interest in recreation, sprung hockey leagues, tennis courts, and golf courses, much to the delight of visitors and residents alike. Taking advantage of the abundance of fish and game in the region, fishing and hunting became a hobby for many people.

Bibliography:
Gatineau Valley Historical Society Files
Gaffield, Chad: History of the Outaouais. Québec: Institut québécois de recherche sur la culture, 1997, 843 p.

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Barn raising work bee, 1916
16 June 1916
Meech Creek Valley, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 02341.021.a027

3

Edgar and Jessie Reside's recollection of making soap in Luskville
19th and 20th Centuries
Luskville, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
Oral History Tapes / GVHS Archives, Tape No. 5

4

Tom Moore's hotel in Chelsea, circa 1880
19th Century, Circa 1880
Chelsea, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 02221.001.a022

5

Foster Earle's Commercial House in Wakefield, circa 1910
20th Century, Circa 1910
Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 02149.012.a019

6

The Peerless Summer Resort in Cascades, 1917
20th Century, 1917
Cascades, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 00847.002

7

Twelfth of July picnic, Wakefield, circa 1910
20th Century, 1910
Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 00284.003

8

Wakefield Women's Institute picnic, circa 1910
20th Century, Circa 1910
Cantley, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 01357.a010

9

Wakefield Clubhouse refreshment booth, circa 1930
20th Century, Circa 1930
Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 02149.001.a019

10

Wakefield Beach, circa 1910
20th Century, Circa 1910
Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 00059.001

11

Diving tower in Larrimac, 1935
20th Century, 1935
Larrimac, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 01535.001.a011

12

Tennis court in Chelsea, 1923
20th Century, 1923
Chelsea, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 02114.003.a018

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Double tennis court in Wakefield, 1929
20th Century, 1929
Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 02151.033.a019

14

Softball game spectators at Cascades, circa 1930
20th Century, Circa 1930
Cascades, Quebec, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


Credits:
GVHS Archives, 01736.001