Name/Title
Mortimer Threehouse CanoeEntry/Object ID
2026.15.001Description
Mortimer Threehouse was a gunsmith who worked in the Harry Harrison Sporting Goods Store on State Street in Rochester. In his spare time in the winter months, from about 1899-1911, he would build canoes. It is estimated that he made around 16-30 canoes. Only 6 are known to still exist. Threehouse was meticulous in his building techniques. It is said he would not be rushed, and the canoes were not declared finished until each tiny detail met with his approval. Occasionally he was commissioned to build a canoe, other times he made them to sell. In a 1911 ad he was offering one for $75.
This canoe is made with 6 types of wood. The planking is butternut, the rails are oak, the decks are mahogany with a cherry strip in the center, the ribs are elm, and the floorboards are spruce. This canoe is a little under 12 feet but some of the canoes reached 16 feet and were made of up to 13 types of wood. Threehouse made name plaques for his canoes and christened them with names that are Indigenous in origin. Two that we know of are the Wampoose and the Owana. When this canoe was discovered the name on the plaque had been worn away so it was christened Naomi after the owner’s mother.Collection
Genesee Country Village and MuseumMade/Created
Artist
Threehouse, MortimerDate made
circa 1899 - circa 1911Place
City
RochesterState/Province
New YorkCountry
United States of AmericaContinent
North AmericaDimensions
Width
30 inDepth
12 inLength
139-1/4 in
