The Original One Room Schoolhouse
1894-1913
1894-1913
- The first Strawberry Vale school, a one room schoolhouse, opened in 1894.
- It cost $800 to build.
- Mr. James Monk, who became the school's first teacher, recalled watching the carpenters build the school and decided to apply for the job of teacher.
- Part of the teacher's job included keeping the school clean and warm. Mr. Monk had to light the stove and keep the fire going throughout the day in the colder months.
- Mr. Monk taught at Strawberry Vale until 1902, earning $50 per month.
- In 1951, the original schoolhouse was moved to Hastings and Rosedale to be used as preschool. It was moved again 1954 to sit behind the then new school building and then moved back to its current location after the new school was built in 1996.
- Over the years, the the school has been saved from demolition and kept useful with improvements and upgrades through the dedicated efforts of community members who started and continue to inspire the long running co-operative that now runs the preschool. (link here to news articles from over the years)
- In 1994, School Centennial celebrations include many activities like afternoon teas, traditional costumes, traditional crafts, and a quilting club.
- Check out the picture of the school from 1994. Notice the staff are in historical costumes to celebrate the school's 100th birthday! Recognize anyone?
- Learn more about the historic significance of our original school building here!
Circa 1901
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Circa 1907
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Today, the original schoolhouse continues to serve as a preschool. Many students, past, present and future, of Strawberry Vale Elementary have attended this preschool and so, are part of that building's history!
Learn more about Strawberry Vale Preschool here.
Learn more about Strawberry Vale Preschool here.