Nater steps back in time at Brocksden Country School Museum

School marm Miss Campbell, dressed in period costume, stands at the front of the classroom with Scott Campbell, chair of the Easthope Historical Group, John Nater, MP, and board member and former school marm Gloria Hutchison. Diane Danen photo

By Diane Danen

Perth-Wellington MP John Nater took a step back in time on Friday, Feb. 20, when he spent part of his morning at Brocksden Country School Museum.

The visit gave him a firsthand look at what school life was like more than 100 years ago.

Built in 1853, Brocksden is the oldest one-room school in Perth County.

Ester Campbell took on the role of the school marm for the day. At 13, she is only a few years younger than many of the young women who once taught in one-room schoolhouses like Brocksden.

Keeping the program authentic, Miss Campbell began the day as it would have started in 1910. She raised the Union Jack outside the school and ushered everyone inside.

The group gathered in the basement, where students long ago would have hung their coats and stored their lunch pails. The basement once served as a space for physical education and indoor recess.

Miss Campbell shared a story passed down from her grandfather about children playing “hockey” with baseball bats and balls, resulting in a few broken light bulbs.

The basement has since been transformed into a museum space, with old books and toys on display. Smaller desks set out in rows are now put to good use, giving younger children a place to play and practice printing on slates while their older siblings take part in lessons in the classroom upstairs.

Among the “students” that morning were Campbell’s parents, Jesse and Scott Campbell, along with Nater and retired teacher Gloria Hutchison. Hutchison first visited Brocksden Country School Museum in 1989 with her Grade 4 class and remembers being inspired by its history and charm.

After retiring from teaching, she returned to Brocksden in 2004, taking on the role of school marm.  She was known as Miss Priestap for 20 years before retiring in 2025. On Friday, she enjoyed the chance to take on the role of a student long ago in her beloved little schoolhouse.

Nater first visited Brocksden Country School Museum on a class trip when he was a Grade 4 student at Upper Thames Public School in Mitchell. During Friday’s visit, Jesse Campbell found the guest book from that year. Looking at the class photo and the names of his classmates written neatly in ink brought back many memories for Nater.

Raised on his family farm in Logan Township, now part of West Perth, Nater learned early in life the importance of hard work and being involved in the community. His return to Brocksden was a reminder of those same values, lessons that were once taught in one-room schoolhouses many years ago.

This spring, Brocksden will once again open its doors to school groups, giving students the chance to experience what a school day was like in 1910.

The museum also has several weekend events planned. Hymn sings will be held on the second-last Sunday of the month from May to August. Special Saturday events include Make-n-Take Crafts, Old Meets New, a Teddy Bear Picnic, School Stage Days and a Blacksmith demonstration.

To book a class visit or learn more about upcoming events, email brocksdenschool@gmail.com, call 519-271-2619, or visit brocksden.ca.