School stands strong after 100 years

See a living piece of history at 100-year celebrations for one-room Bent River schoolhouse June 30

SCHOOL’S OUT. The old schoolhouse in Bent River, previously known as S.S. No. 7 Watt, will be the host of its own 100-year celebration on June 30. Photo by Roland Cilliers

BENT RIVER - There are no more pencils, books or teachers’ dirty looks at S.S. No. 7 Watt in Bent River, but the building itself is still standing strong.
The old one-room schoolhouse on Rosseau Lake Road 1 is approaching its 100th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, the Bent River Historical Hall is planning a celebration for Saturday, June 30. The event will feature music, historical photographs and a chance to speak with former students who actually attended the school many years ago.
Glenn O’Rourke, president of the Bent River Historical Hall, said the building has been a significant part of the community for the last 100 years.
“It’s an opportunity to see a living piece of history in Muskoka,” said O’Rourke. “It’s one of the last one-room schoolhouses that is still standing in Muskoka that has not been turned into a private home or some other business.”
Built in 1912 and operating as a school until 1956. The building was later used as the home for the women’s institute until 2008 when the Bent River Historical Hall assumed ownership.
The Hall has put significant effort into getting in touch with former students and teachers of the school so they can take part in the celebration. Notably, the school’s oldest living student, Hazel Kay, 97, will be honored as part of the event.
In the past, the schoolhouse was used during the summer as a location for neighbourhood picnics. Several of the hall members suggested the 100-year celebration should be in the same kind of spirit.
“Once a year at the school they would do a small picnic where all the families would come with the kids and they played some games,” said O’Rourke. “Every kid got a prize, and they had a chance to interact. We’ve done that a few times, and this time the 100-year anniversary is a good chance to open the doors and let people take a look inside again.”
A wide variety of guests are expected to attend the event, including local councilors and Township of Muskoka Lakes mayor Alice Murphy.
For the last few years, the schoolhouse has been used as a community meeting place.
“I think it’s important that people know that it’s here,” O’Rourke said. “It’s a chance, when you have a gathering like this, for people who may not know the building exists to hear about it from word-of-mouth and just come out, take a look and think, ‘This is kind of interesting, I’d like to know more about the history of the area.’ And there are some people they can talk to.”
The 100-year celebration will run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 30 at S.S. No. 7 Watt. The schoolhouse is located just off Rosseau Lake Road 1 in Rosseau.

Small - Large
|
Print
|
Email
|
|