The Master Crafters

​A Scottish master carpenter emigrated to Canada as a young man in 1832. He set up shop in the vicinity of Gore Street, in Perth, Ontario and operated a large furniture manufacturing company there. This man, David Hogg, was renowned for his craftsmanship and design. The Middleville and District Museum has David Hogg’s Day Book of designs on display in its Carpentry Exhibit. The sketches show the measurement details and structure of furniture that would be made by Mr. Hogg for his customers. William Hogg, likely a brother of David, moved from Perth to the small community of Galbraith in the Township of Lanark during the mid 1851 and built a cabinet making shop on his farm. Here, he crafted chairs, tables, cupboards, beds, blanket chests and many other items. He supplied furniture to the local area. The Middleville and District Museum has an exhibit built around the work bench that William used until his death in 1871. William’s son, John, continued the family trade until about 1906. Many tools, their chair patterns and some furniture are part of the exhibit. Many families in the area may still have a treasured piece of furniture with the Hogg label on it. Museum visitors interested in fine craftsmanship can enjoy the extensive displays of planes, tools and many other related artifacts in the Carpentry and Hogg Family Exhibits. 

bucket of tools belonging to William Hogg Sr

tool display in Carpenter Exhibit

chair patterns used by the Hogg family

chair made by William Hogg, circa 1880

label used on furniture made by the Hogg family of Galbraith

Day Book of furniture designs belonging to master carpenter, David Hogg of Perth on display at the Middleville and District Museum