 |
 |
|
Founded In 1816 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
A portion of the building was designated thanks to Heritage Cornwall and the City Of Cornwall. The Upper Canada District School Board plans to include the designated portion in the new Central Public School building. The two top photos show how the school looked before reconstruction began. The next two photos show how the school will look when finished The right photo is an artist's conception of what the school's library will look like with the inclusion of the designated portion of the school which is the only part of the original school that still remains. The left photo is an artist's conception of how the outside of the school will look. |
|
Formerly Cornwall Public School (Its History Makes It One Of The Oldest In Ontario) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Some of the pictures above of the older school were taken during a photo shoot by Gaby Of Cornwall. We thank Dave Petepiece of the Upper Canada District School Board for supplying us with copies to be used on this website. You can read more about the school's colourful past and present by visiting their site listed at the bottom of this page. |
Cornwall Public School In 1884 |
Cornwall Public School 1934 |
|
We thank Heritage Cornwall member Lily Worrall for the loan of the two photos above. They are postcards of the past and show Cornwall Public School (later Central Public School) in two of it's historic time periods. |
|
By Debbie Ledoux Central Public School started its’ journey in the middle of the 19th century as Cornwall Public School, a brick and stone structure with 12 rooms constructed on a lot in the centre of a thriving town. It was one of the most impressive buildings of its time, alongside the new post office and the first high school. The physicality of the building has changed, but the true reasons for its being, and now its preservation, are the children who sat in the desks and the teachers who taught them. Among the notable graduates of Cornwall Public School were outstanding men such as the first Premiere of Ontario, Hon John Sandfield Macdonald; Chancellor of Upper Canada, Hon. Philip Vankoughnet; Sir John Beverly Robinson, Chief Justice of Upper Canada and Sir James Pliny Whitney. The looming threat of the destruction of a historically significant building and a renowned educational institution, has spawned an interest in the community to preserve the old school and its history. The site where Central Public School now is, has had a school on the property, as early as 1816. In 1853-54 trustees obtained 740 pounds from town council to construct a new School. A brick house was constructed, two stories with two rooms on each floor. In 1883-84 student enrollment had increased to such an extent that another plot of land was purchased. A new school was commissioned to be built by William Atchison. At the centre of the 5 acres of land was erected a large brick building, two stories with 12 classrooms. It was topped with a heavy school bell which reminded the town that school had started for the morning and afternoon sessions. The school was ready to receive all the elementary children of the city and it also served as a training place for teachers, known as a Model school until 1924. In 1921, a new addition, with six rooms and an assembly hall, was built extending north. In June 1931, because the student population had increased again, another eight room fireproof extension was built facing south, boasting a beautiful front entrance. The front of the new addition and new entrance gave the school a dignified appearance. The brick and stone work was intricate, blending artistically with the old building in behind. The front entrance and the 1931 addition still stands as a testament to the skilled craftsmen of the time. To the right of the entrance is a cornerstone made of Scotch Granite which was a gift from Dr. Charles Hamilton who was a long time member of the Board of Trustees and was a Member of Parliament. In 1962 the 1884 and 1921 sections were demolished to make room for a more modern school. This new addition adjoining the 1931 section was officially opened in 1965. -30- |
|
Plans For The School Visit Central Public School Website |