The schoolhouse was the
pride of the neighbourhood and often the social centre of a community.
Conditions, however, varied depending on the funding available
for the construction and maintenance of the building. Early accounts
of teaching experiences in rural schools speak about poor heating
and ventilation, inadequate lighting and makeshift desks and seats
made of single planks with no backs. There was often a lack of
blackboards and equipment such as globes, maps and other teaching
aids. |
![Photo: First schoolhouse in Waterloo, built 1820, [ca. 1950]](pics/21764_waterloo_school_270.jpg)
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to see a larger image (91K)
First schoolhouse in Waterloo, built 1820, [ca. 1950]
Collection of photographs for
Log House Construction in Ontario by J. Rempel
Black and white print
Reference Code: Acc. 2070, page 28
Archives of Ontario, I0021764 | The log schoolhouse shown here was
built in 1820 and was used for more than twenty years before it
was replaced in 1842 with a stone structure. The conditions for
teaching and studying would have been very difficult inside small,
poorly lit buildings like this. The original school exists today
in Waterloo Park in Waterloo, Ontario.
The substandard conditions prevalent in many schools across the
province were not acceptable to the newly formed Education
Department and, as a response, the Act to Improve
the Common and Grammar Schools of the Province of Ontario
of 1871 was passed requiring school sections to provide adequate
school accommodation to all students in their division. |
The basic
requirements as outlined in the 1871 Annual Report were:
- A site of an acre in extent, but not less than half an acre
- A school-house (with separate rooms, where the number of
pupils exceeds fifty) [...] sufficiently warmed and ventilated,
and the premises properly drained.
- A sufficient fence or paling round the school premises
- A play-ground, or other satisfactory provision for physical
exercise, within the fences, and off the road
- A well, or other means of procuring water for the school
- Proper and separate offices for both sexes, at some little
distance from the school-house, and suitably enclosed [referring
to outhouses]
- Suitable school furniture and apparatus, viz.: desks seats,
blackboards, maps, library, presses, books, etc. necessary for
the efficient conduct of the school.
Promotional material for school furniture, equipment and textbooks
would often be sent to the Department of Education from individuals
or businesses hoping for the department's endorsement. The testimonial
sheet to the right, for the Welker Blackboard, dates from 1901. |
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to see a larger image (281K)
Testimonials of the Welker Blackboard from Teachers, Trustees
and Principles of Schools in Ontario, 1901
Department of Education select subject files
Reference Code: RG 2-42-0-5127,
microfilm reel MS 5661
Archives of Ontario |
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The one room schoolhouse is an important
part of the landscape of education in Ontario. It characterizes
the humble beginnings of the education system in the early 19th
century, and the growth and development into the 20th century.
The education of children in isolated northern communities presented
special challenges. Often there wasn't a large enough population
base to support a teacher and build and maintain a schoolhouse.
One way of reaching the students in these areas was the railway
school car. Follow the link to the right to learn more. |
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