OMAH - History Speaker Series
OMAH-History Speaker Series: Special Presentation-The Mackinaw Jacket
The Mackinaw jacket was originally designed by a Great Lakes Métis storekeeper to clothe a multicultural force in defence of Canada in the War of 1812. When those war veterans later settled around Orillia they brought their Mackinaws with them, creating a local folk fashion craze that spread outward across the nation. Orillia’s Carss family (and in-laws of the Taits) supplied the demand for over 66 years. The Mackinaw jackets they produced became the quintessential uniform of lumber workers all across Canada. Join us at OMAH as we explore the local roots of Canada’s 400-year-old blanket coat evolution, a fashion trend that was stitched together by Indigenous and European influences, creating a truly Canadian folk costume.
