Saint John in Saint John County, New Brunswick — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
A Legacy of Tea | Du thé en héritage
People Waiting Making Art Public | Rendre l’art public
— Harbour Passage Trail —
In 1867, brothers George and William Barbour started a wholesale operation on South Market Wharf supplying fish, eggs, poultry and other local goods to vessels and area retailers. Although the building burned in the Great Fire of 1877, the business was rebuilt and taken over in 1895 by George's son, George E. Barbour, giving the company the name it still bears today.
In 1967, G.E. Barbour moved its headquarters and manufacturing to Sussex, New Brunswick, but left a presence in Saint John with Barbour's General Store. This authentic mid-1800's country store was bought by the company to celebrate the shared 100th anniversary of the business and of Canada. Originally located in Sheffield, New Brunswick, it has been completely restored and stocked with period merchandise from candy to clothing. After several years on King Street East, the store now stands within sight of the original Barbour business at Market Slip.
"My hope is that people will be involved and interested in the sculpture, and get to know these (wooden) people as well as I do." John Hooper (1927-2006)
People fascinated John Hooper. He received the Order of Canada for creating public sculptures that celebrate the extraordinary in ordinary people, such as his Terry Fox bronze near Parliament Hill in Ottawa. People Waiting, carved from Phillipine mahogany, was commissioned by Canada Post in 1975 as part of a federal program dedicating 1% of public building costs to art. The humour of these larger-than-life figures breaks down barriers to art and invites viewers to interact with and become part of the sculpture.
En 1867, les frères George et William Barbour ouvrirent un commerce de gros sur le quai South Market, où ils vendent du poisson, des œufs, de la volaille et, d'autres denrées locales aux navires et aux détaillants de la région. Bien que le bâtiment soit détruit lors du Grand Incendie de 1877, le commerce est reconstruit, et c'est le fils de George, George E. Barbour, qui prend la relève en 1895 et lui donne le nom que l'on connaît encore aujourd’hui.
En 1967, G.E. Barbour établit son siège social et ses installations manufacturières à Sussex, au Nouveau-Brunswick, mais conserve une présence à Saint John grâce au magasin général Barbour's. La compagnie fait l'acquisition de cet authentique magasin rural du milieu du 19e siècle afin de célébrer le 100e anniversaire tant de l'entreprise que du Canada. Situé à l'origine à Sheffield, au Nouveau-Brunswick, le magasin est entièrement restauré et approvisionné en marchandises d'époque, des bonbons jusqu'aux vêtements. Après plusieurs années rue King Est, le magasin se trouve maintenant à Market Slip, à portée de vue de l'entreprise originale des Barbour.
« Ce que j'espère, c'est que les gens s'impliqueront dans la sculpture et s'y intéresseront, et en viendront à connaître ces personnages (en bois) aussi bien que je les connais ». John Hooper (1927-2006)
John Hooper était fasciné par les gens. Il a été décoré de l'Ordre du Canada pour avoir créé des sculptures publiques qui célèbrent le caractère extraordinaire de gens ordinaires, tel son bronze de Terry Fox, installé près de la Colline du Parlement, à Ottawa. L'œuvre People Waiting, sculptée dans de l'acajou des Philippines, a été commandée par Postes Canada en 1971 dans le cadre d'un programme fédéral qui consacre 1 % du coût des édifices publics à des œuvres d'art. L'humour de ces personnages plus grands que nature fait tomber les barrières de l'art et invite les spectateurs à interagir avec la sculpture et à en faire partie.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 45° 16.36′ N, 66° 3.751′ W. Marker is in Saint John, New Brunswick, in Saint John County. Marker is on Market Square just east of Water Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, directly in front of Barbour’s General Store. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10 North Market Street, Saint John NB E2L 2H7, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Scottish Strength (a few steps from this marker); Prince William Street - Before and After the 1877 Fire (a few steps from this marker); Centerbeam Place (within shouting distance of this marker); The Marco Polo (within shouting distance of this marker); Saint John 225th Anniversary Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); The Landing of the Loyalists (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Here Stood the House Occupied by Benedict Arnold (about 90 meters away); Oland Family Breweries (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint John.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5, 6, 7. submitted on February 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 8. submitted on February 17, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.