Local NewsNews

The McKenzie School and Bell


Have you been to the Kindersley and District Plains Museum and Tourism Centre and spotted not only a local landmark but also a piece of Kindersley’s history?

What is it? It’s the McKenzie School bell, which was moved to the museum after the school was demolished over the August long weekend in 2021.

The dream of the McKenzie School was realized 113 years ago, on January 20th, 1911, when two acres of land were selected. The creation of the school was further solidified when Clare Reid & Co.’s bid of $19,285.00 was accepted to construct the two-story brick building. A tender of $4,183.90 from Knechtel Co. was accepted to supply the heating.

In August 1911, Miss Edith McKenzie’s application for the position of principal was accepted. Records show that in November 1911, a contest was held to select a name for the school, with the winner receiving $3. Not only did Miss Edith McKenzie receive the honor of being the school’s principal, but she was also further linked to the building through its name.

The first day of school was on Wednesday, August 21st, 1912. Class was held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. A few years later, four rooms were added as the student population bloomed to 200. While the typical Math and English classes were taught, over the years, additions such as Home Economics, Business Training, and Shop classes were made to the curriculum.

After the war, and with the closure of many small schools, the need to board rural students became acute, resulting in the addition of a dormitory used from 1948 to 1958, with a peak enrollment of 86.

Finally, after many years of faithfully providing a space for students and their studies, the school closed its doors in June 1964.

When the school was slated for demolition, the town of Kindersley decided to move the school’s bell to the museum in June 2021.

“We received it as the town of Kindersley was demolishing the old school. It will be a safe place for the bell to be enjoyed by visitors from all over the world,” said Anna Polsfut, board secretary for the Kindersley Museum.

One interesting fact about the bell is that it was actually the second one purchased for the school. The first bell was considered too big and thought to be better suited for the town’s fire bell.

The local history book shares how the school bell, which hung in the belfry, could be heard all over town. It was rung at 8:40 a.m. every morning as a warning, and then again at 9 a.m. Records also show that teachers were required to be inside the building before the first bell ceased ringing or else report themselves as ‘late’ on the monthly reports. According to some, the kindly old janitor, Mr. Martin, would keep the bell ringing overtime if he saw teachers hurrying up the street.

For the latest information and for more updates on everything Kindersley, download our app! Get it on Google Play
App Store coming soon!

Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

Related Articles

Back to top button