Brocksden Country School Museum brings history to life this Easter

Schoolmarm Miss Priestap (Gloria Hutchison) stands over student Neville Clarke, five, from Stratford, as he practices printing on a slate. Diane Danen photo

By Diane Danen

Despite a chilly, wet morning on Saturday, April 4, Brocksden Country School Museum was warm and welcoming as children explored what classroom life was like more than 100 years ago.

Built in 1853, Brocksden is the oldest one-room schoolhouse in Perth County. To celebrate Easter, families were invited to take part in an Easter themed lesson followed by an Easter egg hunt.

Dressed in period costume, Gloria Hutchison portrayed schoolmarm Miss Priestap, leading lessons in proper slate writing using the right hand only, as well as lessons in symmetry and oral arithmetic.

Once lessons were completed, visitors enjoyed an indoor Easter egg hunt. Instead of chocolate, the eggs were filled with simple schoolhouse trinkets such as pencil sharpeners, erasers, Union Jack stickers and stamps. Each family also received a game of jacks, a favourite pastime from years gone by.

Brocksden Country School Museum is getting ready to welcome visitors for another season of pioneer-style learning and community events.

Old Meets New (June 6): Visitors are invited to the historic schoolhouse to explore modern technology, including robotics, 3D printing and more.

Teddy Bear Picnic (June 20): Featuring Grandma’s Storytime, a scavenger hunt, face painting and lots of family-friendly fun.

Blacksmith on Site (Aug. 29): See how a blacksmith worked at the forge in years past.

The Brocksden Country School Museum is located on Vivian Street, just off of Highway 7/8, between Stratford and Shakespeare, at 2719 Perth Line 37.