MacAskill, Photographer, Yachtsmen and St. Peter’s Distinguished Son

Few visitors traveling through the beautiful and scenic countryside of Richmond County realized that besides being know for our beauty that we are also know for some of our prestigous residents. St. Peter’s nestled along the St. Peter’s Canal is also the home of the renowned photographer Wallace Robinson MacAskill. Born in St Peter’s around 1887, he studied and graduated from the Wade School of Photography in New York in 1907. He opened his first photographic studio in St. Peters, and later a studio in Glace Bay before moving to Halifax in 1915. He is best know for his photo of the Bluenose which still graces the Canadian ten cent piece today. It is said that MacAskill would go out in all kinds of weather to get the best shots, the weather did not intimidate him in the least when it accomplishing his goal of capturing the most exciting images possible. MacAskill has also captured some amazing still as well one of my favorite is of the charming little boy walking down the road with his little pack of valuable tied securely to a pole carried over his shoulder and held tightly in his little hands. MacAskill’s family home, where he grew up has been turned into a museum in his honor. The 115 year old dwelling displays over 100 hand tinted photographs (which were tined by his wife and partner Elva Abriel who was also a professional photographer). There are also a number of artifacts on display dating back to the early days of photography. The museum is also a heritage house so visitors can see what a home from around the turn of the century was like. He got his start in photography at an early age, when he was given an old camera thus starting a very dynamic career. Besides being known for his photography he was also know for his love of sailing. He owned and raced his own yacht call the Highlander. He was so taken by thee Bluenose which was the fastest sailing ship, he had the same builders construct his Highlander and he would race his yacht and he never lost, but if the Bluenose entered the race he would never race against her out of respect for the noble craft. He captured the natural beauty of land and seascapes as well as the majestic sailing ships, and he had a deep love for the sea, placing MacAskill among the best marine photographers in the world, and one of St. Peter’s most distinguished sons.