GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Members from the community of Guelph/Eramosa have released a novel on the history of the township’s public schools, titled The Nine Public Schools of Guelph Township.
With the majority being built between 1864 and 1891 and located in country settings, the Guelph Township Public Schools have a unique history.
Final closures in the mid 1960s led to just Marden, Macdonald Consolidated and College Avenue schools remaining open in some capacity. Small country public schools, where teachers taught Grades 1 through 8 in one room are a thing of the past and a fascinating part of local history.
The book was inspired by local artist Marion Campbell, whose children attended S.S. #3/Marden School, one of the nine schools.
Over the years Marion, having turned 90 in December, has gathered a vast amount of information which she calls her “archival records,” which much of this book is based on.
Her drawings of each of the schools appear in the book as well as a number of supplementary sketches which illustrate additions built to accommodate the growing number of students over the years.
Several writers contributed to the stories, most of them former students. The editorial team includes Joyce Blyth, Marion Campbell, Nancy Dickieson, Barbara Leachman and Ruth Robinson.
Readers are challenged to check the school locations on the map and use the present-day colour photos to take a driving tour of the nine schools.
David Card, who was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics for his work in labour economics, attended two of the Guelph Township public schools – both S.S. #2 and S.S. #3/Marden Public School – outlined in this book.
This is a testament to the success of schooling in a one-room setting with a single teacher and multiple children and grades. Readers can find Card pictured in a 1963 class photo on page 39 of the book.
Individuals looking to order a copy of The Nine Public Schools of Guelph Township must provide an email address and phone number to arrange a pickup time and location.
Contact Anne at agrinwis@in.on.ca or 519-822-2789 with your order. The cost for local pick up in the Guelph area is $25 and the cost for mailing is $35. The deadline to order is Nov. 5.
Cheque or e-transfer is acceptable or cheques can be made payable to Guelph Township Schools, 6 Ryan Avenue, Guelph, ON, N1E 2G5.
