The Metchosin Schoolhouse was
opened in the spring of 1872 and is the first school building opened in
British Columbia after confederation. Classes began with Mrs. Elizabeth
Fisher teaching seven girls and three boys. The school closed in 1914,
reopened in 1942 and closed again in 1949. It was opened once more in
1972; this time as the Metchosin School Museum.
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Closing ceremony
in 1949 |
The Metchosin School Museum is a volunteer group of individuals who
have a devotion to the collection and preservation of the heritage
pertaining to the School and the area. This society is small in numbers
and is mostly comprised of senior citizens from the area. Besides the
physical museum, Metchosin School Museum (MSM) through volunteer-ship
has been servicing the communities heritage needs through the following
actions:
During the winter months MSM opens by appointment for school tours.
An example from the guest book shows during the month of February 1998
the museum hosted over 200 grades 4, 5, 6, and 7 students.
Allows loans to other museums which meet the safety standards
set by the MSM Board and Trustees.
Aids in individuals when ever possible in their research. The MSM has
been involved in two publications: The First One Hundred Years -The
Metchosin Elementary School; and Footprints -Pioneer Families of the
Metchosin District.
The Metchosin School Museum is one of the oldest heritage driven
societies in the area. The Metchosin School Museum has deeply rooted
support systems with in the community. The primary one being the School
District. The School building owned by the school district and leased to
the Metchosin School Museum Society for the sum of $1. per year. The
purpose of this lease is to house the Society's collection and enable
the society to build upon this heritage collection. The school district
has placed the well being of the structure in the hands of MSM. The
museum’s farm and household collection is displayed in a converted
barn on the municipal grounds of the District of Metchosin. The museum
officially opened March 25th 1972, coinciding with the 100th
anniversary of the building. The Metchosin School is the first school in
BC built after confederation into Canada and is located in the second
oldest community settled on the island. The oldest community being Fort
Victoria. The Museum School Building received its "Heritage
Status" in 1997. The museum's roots are in volunteerism and pride
in the history and heritage of the area. It should be noted that there
are some residents in Metchosin who attended the school and were
influential in creating the museum; and are still Museum volunteers.
Most notable is the Bligh family. Daisy and John Bligh, (both are
retired) are presently interested in the Pioneer aspect of the museum
and donate many hours to its guardian duties and development. The late
Mrs Helgesen the author of Footprints spent many hours researching and
collecting data to provide the Museum with excellent historical
representation of the first settlers into the area.