The author in Cheticamp
-by Rosie Aucoin-Grace
Since the founding of Chéticamp and area, families needed to find means of survival and to keep warm during the harsh winter months. Many tended to sheep to obtain wool to knit clothes and make rugs. There has been a variety of types of rugs including: Défaisures, braided, catalognes, rosette, breillons, and later on, the most popular method still used at present time, hooked rugs made with wool on jute canvas, which are used mostly as art pieces.
For well over a century, Acadian women and men have been known for their incredible handiwork, creating beautiful hooked rugs, a tradition passed on from generation to generation. If wool carded by our ancestors could come to life, what a tale it could weave about the history of the Chéticamp hooked rugs. A single thread could perhaps unravel the stories of how the women would gather to work on large rugs, their tears of joy and laughter and sometimes even sorrow, especially during the dark days of war. It could perhaps solve the mystery of so many unanswered questions, particularly about the Lillian Burke era.
Her story has been one of great interest and curiosity for many decades and fortunately, through the fine relentless works of author Edward M. Langille, we are now in possession of the biography of this remarkable woman whose multi-faceted career spanned over five decades. The Story of Lillian Burke. What an amazing gift, a contribution to the art world.
He wrote, “Schooled in the tradition of the Anglo-American Arts and Crafts Movement, she wore many hats. Lillian was an inspiring art teacher and an accomplished artisan, as well as a pioneer in the field of occupational therapy, having worked overseas as a ‘reconstruction aide’ during WW1 and in later years as a therapist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Until now, her story has never been told.”
“Lillian Burke, an American artist and artisan, she was instrumental in the development of the Chéticamp hooked-rug cottage industry in the 1920s. With the support of Alexander Graham Bell’s younger daughter Marian, “Burkie” as she was affectionately known, breathed new life into Mabel’s Cape Breton Home Industries during the tough days of the Great Depression. Lillian’s innovative rug designs introduced graceful motifs of flowers, birds, forest animals, garlands and trellises, worked in hand-dyed, home-spun yarn in a distinctive palette of soft, muted tones. The rugs that the women of Chéticamp created under Burke’s supervision were soon commissioned by the elite decorators of New York and other major fashion centres. Lillian’s 1937 ‘Savonnerie’ carpet is considered a masterpiece. It took Lillian three months to block out the 18’ x 36’ burlap underlay; and it took the expert rug hookers of Chéticamp, six months and over 125 colours to create what is said to be the largest hand-hooked rug of its time.”
On September 17th, about 50 people gathered at Les Trois Pignons to participate in the book launching of The Story of Lillian Burke. Edward M. Langille, is a professor of modern languages (French language and literature) at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, since 1989. Educated initially at Université Ste-Anne, Church Point, Nova Scotia, Professor Langille is a well-respected editor, translator, and literary historian, specializing in the works of Voltaire. His scholarship has been honoured by the French Government, which awarded him the rank of chevalier in the Ordre des palmes académiques.
Langille specializes in the area of enlightenment studies and is one of Canada’s leading experts on Voltaire and his works. He also specializes in studies of Acadian culture and history. In July 2011, Langille discovered more than 125 hand-painted designs for hooked rugs in an antique shop in New Glasgow. The designs, created by American artist and teacher, Lillian Burke were since donated to Cape Breton University’s Beaton Institute. This find prompted Professor Langille to conduct some extensive research on Lillian Burke’s life as well as her contributions to the hooked-rug industry that served Chéticamp well over the years.
In 2014, many gathered at La Place des arts Père Anselme Chiasson in Chéticamp for a very unique, inspirational, and educational presentation by Professor Edward Langille on the topic of The Life and Career of M. Lillian Burke 1880-1952. He launched into his lecture with such ease and familiarization. It was as if he himself, had known Lillian Burke. He described her as being a remarkable, dynamic, fantastic woman of her era. He captivated the audience as he flowed through the chapters of her life via a slide presentation, revealing details that he discovered during his meticulous research. It is of no surprise that Langille has transferred all these findings into a very impressive and compelling book.
During the book launching, Douglas Arthur Brown of Boularderie Island Press was emcee for the afternoon. A few words of welcome were spoken by Napoléon Chiasson, president of La Société Saint-Pierre. A special guest for this event was Martin Grosvenor Myers, a great-grandson of Alexander Graham Bell, who also wrote the foreword for the book. Finally, the author, Edward M. Langille addressed the audience, explaining his journey and interest in Lillian Burke and read excerpts of the book. This was followed by discussion, book-signing and refreshments.
“What a wonderful sleuth Prof. Langille became, all because he admired and acquired a collection of Burkie’s watercolour sketches. He has organized his findings into this informative biography of this kind woman who touched many lives. Her story needed telling, he has done it well, revealing Burkie to us as having had an admirable ability to interact with others: whether future teachers, eager young children, a community of women trying to improve their circumstances, or soldiers recovering from the horrors of war,” wrote Mr. Meyers in the foreword. He continued, “It is unquestionable that Burkie was a gifted artisan instructor, but I believe that her greatest skill may well have been her ability to teach us confidence and self-esteem.”
“We have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Langille for many years and we consider him a friend. His extensive research has allowed us to better know and appreciate Lillian Burke’s influence in our rug hooking industry,” says Lisette Bourgeois, executive director. She added, “The book is an excellent resource for our museum at Les Trois Pignons and is sold in our shoppe for anyone wanting to purchase a copy.”
This gifted, notable lady died in October 1952 and was buried in an unmarked grave beside her mother, father, and siblings in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, DC.
Back in Nova Scotia, it fell to Marian Fairchild to remember Lillian Burke and she wrote: “The inspiration she gave the women of Chéticamp will live on. I hope and I believe that for many years to come, something of her, some quality of design or coloring, will show in the hooked mats of Chéticamp.”
We owe a debt of gratitude to Professor Langille for his ability and efforts in unraveling the mystery of Lillian Burke, who had quite an impact in the lives of our ancestors, an impact that has branched out over all these decades. Not just in the area of introducing our rug-hooking on an international level but also in the confidence she instilled in our Acadian people and the many talents she shared with them. One can sense all of this and so much more in Langille’s ‘can not put down, enthralling story.’ Similar to a rug, with thread after thread, the chapters of this book create a masterpiece.
Lillian Burke left quite a legacy to the rug-hooking industry of Chéticamp. A testament that is still quite prominent in today’s local works of art and a part of me, believes it always will.