MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French 1
Parks Canada recognizes the importance of the Penman Textile Mill in Paris, Ontario, which formed the basis of the Penman Manufacturing Company, which grew from a single mill in 1868 to become the largest producer of knitted woollen goods in Canada by the end of the century.
October 5, 2024 Toronto, Ontario Parks Canada
Today, Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada commemorate the national historic significance of the Penman Textile Mill with a special plaque unveiling ceremony at Penman Manor in Paris, Ontario. The Penman Textile Mill, located in Paris, Ontario, was once the cornerstone of the Penman Manufacturing Company, Canada’s largest producer of knitted woollen goods in the late 19th century. Founded in 1868 by John Penman, the mill’s history illustrates the evolution of the textile industry in the region as well as broader trends in industrialization in Canada.
In 1887, the company expanded to include a new mill across the Grand River. These developments, along with the operations of other businesses in the area, established the Grand River Valley as the heart of the Canadian hosiery industry. The Penman Textile Mill’s early operations included a wide range of yarn and knitwear production, before specializing in hosiery. By the late 1890s, the mill had a significant impact on employment in the community, and by the early 1900s, much of the workforce consisted of single British women, recruited for their skills in hosiery machinery and knitted fabrics.
Founder John Penman acquired other mills in Ontario and Quebec before selling the business to become Penmans Limited in 1906. In 1965, Penmans was incorporated into the Dominion Textile Company. The Nith River Mill was sold in 1970 and has been converted over the years, including into residential property in the early 2000s, preserving the mill’s exterior architecture. While the site no longer contributes to the manufacturing of textile products, it remains a symbol of the industrial development that took place across Canada during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes the significant people, places and events that have shaped this country to help Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, heritage and realities of Canada’s past and present.
The nomination process under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration relies largely on nominations from the public. To nominate a historic person, place or event in your community, please visit the Parks Canada website for more information: https://www.pc.gc.ca/fr/culture/clmhc-hsmbc/ncp-pcn/application.
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Oliver AndersonDirector of CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change819-962-0686oliver.anderson@ec.gc.ca
Media RelationsParks Canada Agency1-855-862-1812pc.media@pc.gc.ca
Hayley Lashmar Acting Officer, Public Relations and Communications Parks Canada, Rouge National Urban Park Field Unit 519-324-5648hayley.lashmar@pc.gc.ca
Gabe Camozzi Acting Officer, Communications with the CSMHC Parks Canada, Southwestern Ontario Field Unit 905-870-5724gabriel.camozzi@pc.gc.ca
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.