Lecture
#2
The
One
Room
Schoolhouse
and
Beyond:
The
Work
of
the
Knechtel
Firm
1890
-
1930
Presentation
by
Susan
Burke
For much of the 19th century, the one room school house played a vital role in the life of Ontario’s rural communities. Change when it came, was slow, much to the chagrin of the passionate cleric, Egerton Ryerson who, as Superintendent of Education, was bent on reform. The schoolhouse designs of this Berlin/Kitchener firm over forty years reveal the gradual implementation of the provincial standards and reflect advances in technology and pedagogical thought and in social change.
The
Modern
Schoolhouse:
Post-war
Growth
and
Change
in
Waterloo
Region
Presentation
by
Rick
Haldenby
The
education
system
in
Ontario
changed
dramatically
after
the
Second
World
War.
The
population
and
the
economy
expanded
dramatically.
It
was
clear
we
needed
a
highly
educated
workforce.
Cities
across
the
province
embarked
on
a
dramatic
expansion
of
their
facilities
for
all
levels
of
education.
In
our
area
the
expansion
was
the
most
dramatic:
dozens
of
new
schools
were
built.
Their
designs
reflected
new
ideas
in
architecture
and
education:
some
were
aggressively
modern,
some
looked
back
to
the
traditions
of
the
past
and
integrated
them
in
hybrid
forms.
All
were
designed
by
local
architects.
They
were
of
high
quality
and
remain
with
us
today.
Admission
is
free
for
members
of
the
Architectural
Conservancy
of
Ontario. To
become
a
member,
please
visit ACO.
For
non-members
admission
is
$8.50.