Northern New York is the western end
of the geographically distinct Northern
Forest, a vast landscape of hardwood
and boreal forest stretching across
northern New England, up into Quebec and the
Maritime Provinces. Trees dominated the landscape
in this region long before European settlers
arrived, and when settlement began, it was millions
of acres of trees that drew people in. Lumbering
was the first major industry in the Northern Forest;
it’s a testament to the variety and plentitude of
resources in those woods that the industry in
various permutations continued strong until well
into the last half of the twentieth century.
Economies are always shaped by local resources, but so are cultural practices. Wide availability of wood naturally fostered a tradition of shaping it for functional and decorative ends. Loggers whittled in their spare hours, hunters carved decoys to attract waterfowl, and house builders used fine wood to make furnishings for their homes.
Today’s North Country woodworkers are a mix of proprietors of cottage industries and skilled hobbyists. The materials, methods, and purposes of their products vary considerably, but together they share a legacy of working with local woods, and a commitment to perpetuating a long-standing North Country tradition. TAUNY is pleased to share with you this representative selection of woodwork from our region.
Support for this website module comes from Mr. and Mrs. T. Urling Walker.
Jill Breit
Project Coordinator
©2001 Traditional Arts in Upstate New York