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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1967-09-21, Page 12CONGRATULATIONS ON THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW ADDITION TO THE WINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOL MORRIS Plumbing and Heating Limited 441 BRUNSWICK ST. - STRATFORD, ONT. Miss Agnes Williamson's Grade I pupils in 1939 TEACHING STAFF at Wingham Public School a few years ago — Front: Mrs. L. Hoy, — —, Mrs. Mundell, Miss Johns, Mrs. Thornton, Miss Williamson; second row: Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. Moffatt, Mrs. Gowdy, Mrs, Pennington, Mrs. Douglas; back: Mrs. Elliott, Mrs, Shera, Mr. Beattie, Mrs. Webster and Miss Armitage, 1:' J, D. KYLES, M.R.A.I.C. GARRATT AR,cw-F c T s L. b. KYLES, B.ARCH., M.R.A.I.C. B. GARRATT, DIP.ARCH., A.R.I.B.A. 247 John Street South HAMILTON INDUSTRIAL I COMMERCIAL 15 Downie Street STRATFORD SITE REPORTS S INSTITUTIONAL CONGRATULATIONS ON THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW ADDITION AT THE WINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOL WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN AS THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR FOR THE RECENTLY COMPLETED EXPANSION CONSTRUCTION LID. 269 QUEEN ST, E, BRAMPTON, .ONTARIO ""C, -rir ^1., tl Before there was a school in what was known as Upper Wing- ham, there were three private schools. Miss Murphy, sister of Rev. Murphy, the first Anglican minister, taught children in a room over Thomas Abraham's shoe shop on Victoria Street. Mrs. Ogelvie Varney and Mrs. Ellen Spence also conducted private classes. It has been reported that the first school was built in 1863. It was a frame building with an anteroom on the side, which stood on the southwest corner of John and Leopold Streets, fac- ing the latter, on the property now owned by Andy Scott and until recently occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lloyd. Directly behind the school was what was known as The Commons, A Mr. Mundell was the first teacher, assisted by Mrs. Spence, who taught the young- er children in the anteroom. They were followed by Mr. Farquhar, Charles Stewart, Mr. Motesworth, George Henderson and James Ferguson. Mr. Fer- guson taught for several years and it was during his time that the new school was erected. Mr. Ferguson left Wingham in 1885. The need for larger accom- modation was overcome in 1878 when a new two-storey brick building with eight classrooms, teachers' room, two playrooms, furnace room and coal bunker was built on the northeast cor- ner of Frances and John Streets, facing Frances. This structure was demolished earlier this year. OLD SICHOOL USED AS TOWN HALL However, the original school continued to serve the com- munity. After the new school was opened, the frame build- ing was moved from Leopold Street to Josephine Street to be used as a town hall, It stood in about the same location as the present town, hall. The ante- room was used as a fire hall. In Manh, 1891 the hall was of fered for sale by tender and the advertisement published in The Wingham Advance stated, "... for purchase of the town hall, not to include the council chamber or fire hall", which it is presumed were separate rooms in the anteroom. The Anchor of Hope Lodge, which had formed the Wingham Temperance Hall Company, purchased the hall through its representative, Alex Dawson. The building was moved to Ed- ward Street, across from the Salvation Army Citadel, and was placed on a cement founds- tion. Improvements were made immediately. Two dressing rooms were constructed at the back of the building and a stage was built. The entire building was redecorated inside and a ticket office was made to the right and a cloakroom to the left of the entrance. A new fur- nace was installed. The hall became a popular place for meetings, concerts and other entertainment. PACKING HOUSE William Armour bought the building in 1900 and converted it into an egg packing plant. Two years later he improved the appearance of the exterior with brick veneer. Later owners were the William Davies Com- pany and Art Adams, Camp- bell and Gorbutt used the build- For 89 years the children of four generations trouped through the doors of the old section of the public school, which was demolished earlier this, year. It was considered a magnifi- cent building when it was erect- ed in 1878 and it proved durable as well. School boards had kept it in good repair and caretaking was excellent. While later ad- ditions were, of course, more modern, the original section was bright and well equipped. The first principal was W. E, Groves, who had taught pre- viously in the Lower Wingham school. He later went to the Ryerson Institute in Toronto, where he became principal. Mr. Groves was followed by A. H. Musgrove and in 1902 an extra teacher was added to the staff so that continuation school classes could be included, mak- ing a total of nine teachers. Mr. Musgrove taught the continua- tion school pupils. The school became over- crowded in 1905, and since the Congregational Church, now the Masonic Hall, was not in use at that time the board rented the church and made two class- rooms. Mr. Musgrove resigned in 1908 to go into politics and Jo- seph Stalker became principal. In 1913 he was succeeded by A. L. Posliff who held the posi- tion until his death 23 years la- ter, Mr. Posliff was granted leave of absence from 1915 to 1919 when he served overseas, and Miss Maude Brock filled the position during his absence. KINDERGARTEN STARTED A kindergarten was establish- ed in 1914 and Miss Pearl But- ler of Stratford was appointed as teacher. Another innovation ing for some time as a sash and wood products plant. The present owner is Norman Keating, who uses part of the building for storage in connec- tion with his electrical business, while Mr. Posliff was principal was the introduction of music in 1030, under the direction of Mr. Anderton of Goderich. S. G. Kidd was principal from 1936 to 1941 and during his tenure manual training and household science were intro- duced in 1936 and agriculture for a short while in 1937. Colin Crozier was principal from 1941 to 1942 and was fol- lowed by T. S. Beattie in the fall of 1942, a position he has held for 25 years. The latest addition is the third building program in Mr. Beattie's time here. 1952 ADDITION A survey taken in 194'7 show- ed that a definite increase in attendance would come within five years. Enrollment for many years had averaged 247, varying only eight or ten either way. The survey revealed that a possible 380 pupils would be enrolled in September 1952. The actual number on that date was 278. By 1949 overcrowding forced changes in primary school ar- rangements and again the pu- pils spilled over into the quar- ters used in 1905, which had since become the Masonic Hall. The kindergarten was moved to the hall. The 1952 one-storey brick addition was T shaped and de- signed so that future building could be done at the north and west ends. It contained three classrooms, a kindergarten and washrooms. The pupils were once more all under one roof and the teaching staff was in- creased to 13. Gordon Adamson, Toronto, was the architect and Mowbray Construction the contractors. and the rest of the building is occupied by Square Deal Con- struction, The interior shows the evi- dence of having been used as an entertainment hall. The 14- Work began January 8, 1952, the classrooms were occupied November 3 and the official opening was on December 5, 1952. W, W. Gurney, mayor, cut the ribbon. At this time the old build- ing came in for some attention as well. It was decorated, the floors refinished, the heating system rejuvenated, sanitation improved, and equipment was added. MORE ROOM NEEDED Before the board had com- pleted the extra hours and work involved with the 1952 addition they could see another building program emerging. A survey taken that year showed that an additional 100 children could be expected by 1956, making a possible 480. This 880,000 expansion to accommodate 140 pupils was under construction one year. Kyles & Kyles were the archi- tects and Wilfred G. White was the contractor, The one-storey brick structure extended west, along John Street, and contain- ed four classrooms, a teachers' room, principal's office, and caretaker's storeroom. It was designed so rhat classrooms and washrooms could be added on the north side. It was officially opened October 4, 1957 by R. E. McKinney, mayor. The present wing was nor added because of increased at- tendance. Demolition of the old school was the only logical answer the board could find when the coal-fired boilers were found to be unsafe. After considerable study on the part of the board it was decided that demolition and reconstruction would be the only sound course from the standpoint of economy. foot ceiling is still papered in the opera house style and one can see where the stage has been boarded up. As a reminder of its egg-packing days, the huge vats along the outside walls in the basement are still partly standing. These held water- glass which was used to coat the eggs in order to preserve them. The anteroom served as a fire hall until the present one was built beside it in 1948, It has since been used for storage. TALES TO TELL What tales the walls of these buildings could tell. There would be stories of children's laughter and tears, of scuffles and fights, of teachers' encour- agement and condemnation. Much of the town's early his- tory took place within these walls, as the leaders of the community sat in council ses- sions, deciding matters that have had a great deal of mean- ing, even to this generation. Many of the births, marriages and deaths would have been re- corded here. Plays, lectures, concerts and meetings were prominent in the life of the community and no doubt at such gatherings much of the local gossip was whisper- ed. There would also be the shouting of firemen as they pulled out the reels to run to fires; and the conversations when they returned to assess the causes and losses, or congratu- late each other on a job well done. Separated since 1891, these buildings have for over 100 years contributed to education, public affairs, entertainment, industry and the protection of the community and have out- lived the building which re- placed them as a school. The next time you pass the Square Deal building on Edward Street, look at it with respect. It is one of our senior citizens which has long and faithfully served the community. Page 4 — Will4harn Advanc Times, Thursday, Sept, '21, 1967 Original .public school still standing-.. outlived its successor erected in 1878 11.1 OOOO 44444 111 44 444 .111 4 11 444 11 4444444444444444 •111.11 44444444 11 44444 111 4444444 1011101 444444 1011111111111111111111111.1111 4 iiiiiiiiii OOOOOO 4444444444444 00000 44 • ........... ..... . ............. Four generations educated in old school