This photograph of Huntsville’s Miss Winnifred Trainor, taken in the early 1900s, was donated by her nephew to Muskoka Heritage Place in 1962. Miss Trainer, born in 1880, died August 12, 1962 at the age of 82.

Most historians acknowledge that Miss Trainor was the secret fiancé of Canadian artist Tom Thomson, who died in Algonquin Park in 1917 surrounded by mystery. Shortly after Tom Thomson’s death, the famous Canadian Group of Seven artists was formed.

Miss Trainor lived in downtown Huntsville all her life. It was recently announced that the Downtown Huntsville BIA has been awarded the prestigious, first-ever, Special Events and Promotions Award for their Group of Seven Mural Festival by the Ontario Business Improvement Area Associations. In 2007 the BIA Mural Festival was a unique and authentic creative event, with far reaching media coverage, resulting in the installation of a permanent year-round attraction. Congratulations to the Downtown BIA.

Avid art admirers can enjoy this free walking tour at any time of year. We also hear that the BIA Mural tour is about to become even bigger and better under the direction of mural designer Gerry Lantaigne of Caterpillar Heart, and the efforts of Huntsville High School art students, under the tutelage of teacher Susanne Allen-Spiers. We enjoy your creativity!