The original building was a log structure erected around 1845. It was located on the southeast corner of Peter Crerar’s farm on Lot 34, Concession 3, of North Easthope Township. After the present school opened the log building became the teacher’s residence until it wore out.
Present Building: 1853-1988 Brocksden School or S.S. #1 North Easthope was erected in 1853 for £.100. The building consists of a beam frame stuffed with red brick, a basic method of construction brought from Germany, and which is common to many of the earliest buildings surviving in this area. The school was covered with boards and battens and painted grey with black trim. It remained this way for 93 years until Insul-Brick was added over it.
The original interior had walls of lime plaster painted moss green. There was pine wainscotting on the lower part of the wall. The floor consisted of pine planks with a narrow platform across the front of the room.
Narrow dressed boards were used for the ceiling and part of the front wall had blackened plaster for use as a blackboard. Lighting for evening affairs was provided by a four-lamp chandelier and also by more oil-lamps resting in metal sconces by the windows. Heat was provided by a box stove. The first furniture would have been simple, the teacher’s desk and chair being the only pieces with style. A single open shelf would have held all the books, supplies and equipment needed. Three rows of coat hooks stretched across the back wall.
Additional Changes: In the 113 years of continuous operation (until 1967), there were at least four sets of furniture in Brocksden — benches, double desks, single desks, and moveable desks. Changes throughout the years included: lobby shelves, wall cupboards, patterned tin lining, slate blackboards, single chimney, hardwood floor, wide platform, sidewalks, tin shed, etc.
1900: The interior walls were covered with patterned tin of diamonds and fleur-de-lis. 1905: Around 1905 a law was passed making it mandatory to install slate blackboards. 1927: Hardwood flooring was installed in 1927 along with a new platform across the front of the room. Double desks were replaced with single desks and a new sidewalk updated the yard. The fence across the front of the yard also appeared at this time. 1938: Electricity came to Brocksden School. 1946: Progress brought a new basement, oil furnace, washrooms, and modern chairs and tables. 1958: The old trim was removed, and plywood was used to cover the interior walls. New cupboards were added to the back of the room and the ceiling was tiled. Brocksden was built before belfries became fashionable but the trustees did succumb to lightning rod fever and somewhere along the line they also decided to erect a flagpole as a patriotic gesture.
This museum was first officially opened on July 6, 1969. It is owned by the Township of North Easthope and operated by The Easthope Historical Group.
This is a great educational history experience.
If you wish to organize an event, especially for children,
please contact Jessie Campbell at [email protected] or 519-271-2619.
Photos courtesy of the Stratford Perth Archives.