REECE’S SCHOOL

[Pelham Historical Calendar, 1978]

This handsome brick school was built in 1883-83. It was a one-room schoolhouse designed with a stately symmetry, two front entrances at each side, a frieze of arched windows between vertical columns of raised bricks, central rose window and steeply pitched roof crowned by a graceful tall cupola with the  school bell. On the flagpole is a crown-shaped metal plaque commemorating the coronation of George V1 and Queen Elizabeth, May 1937.

One of the first school trustees in the area, a Mr. Reece, donated the land for the school on Sixteen Road, and the school was named in his honour. Many improvements were made through the years a well in 1920, woodshed in 1927, the flagpole, and in 1941 the school was serviced with electricity. In 1945 the school became part of Pelham Area #1. A few years later bus service was begun. The playground was enlarged through purchase of a half-acre from Mr. Albert Wegman, and a fence was built to protect the playground from the waters of the Fifteen Mile Creek which ran nearby through the quiet, wooded country setting of the school.

Many are remembered in connection with the school, teachers such as Miss Bessie Nelson, Mr. Charles Elliott, Mrs. George Alsop and Miss Jean Davidson, and also Mrs. C.B. Leppert (nee Reece) who lived in the family hoe next to the school and for fifty years kept the school clean and polished.

The Ontario Horticultural Association did a great deal to encourage the beautification of rural schools. Reece’s School won its share of prizes, including a first prize in 1945 when Mrs. Violet Bissell was teacher-principal, and again in 1963 when Mrs. Catherine B. Rice was teacher-principal.

When the schools of Pelham were placed under the jurisdiction of the Welland County School Board, now the Niagara South Board of Education, Reeces School was closed, along with the North Pelham and Law’s Schools. The school is now preserved as part of a home, the original facade integrated into an outstanding and beautiful example of preservation, using an old structure and modern additions.

REECE’S SCHOOL

[Author unknown]

The land for this school was donated by Mr. Reece , one of the first trustees.
The school was given its name in his honour. Construction was begun in 1882 and was ready in 1883.

The one-roomed brick building housed grades one to eight. (First Book to Fourth Book) The desks were single and  no platform was at the front of the  room. Some of the items of interest of the early days were:

1920—a well was dug
1926—teacher’s room, supply room added
1927– a woodshed added
May 6, 1937– a steel flagpole
1941—electricity installed
Oct. 3, 1941– a piano purchased (repairing and tuning of same, paid by students)

In 1944, first prize was awarded this school for the Rural Schools’ Beautification Contest, In 1945, the school became part of Pelham Area #1, and in 1949, bus service for the schools of the area came into being.

One-half acre to the west of the school was purchased from Albert Wegman in 1955, for the purpose of enlarging the playground. The area was surrounded by a new fence.

In 1955, an addition consisting of a furnace room, washrooms. Teachers’ room, and store room was built at the north end of the original building. In 1956, the woodshed was purchased by Mr. G. Goodfield. Dec. 3, 1956 filing cabinets were installed..

This school was situated on 16 Road and with the introduction of the Niagara South Board of Education, the school was sold..  It is now (1971) the home if Dr. C.W. Gillen.

TEACHERS—REECE’S SCHOOL
Miss McLure
Miss McLeade
Miss G. Milles
Miss Haines
Mr. Cline
Miss Wyatt
Miss Eskhardt
Miss Presswell
Miss Davis
Miss Hendershoy
Mr/ J.P. Pegg
Mrs. Tergrison
Miss McCullum
Miss Nelson
Mr. Elliot
Miss McIntosh
Miss V. Berry (1928-33)
Miss E. Pirie
Mr. L. Wipple
Miss Robins
Miss F. Scrutun
Miss Wessel
Miss S. Oille
Miss M. Davidson
Miss Gleason
Miss Gilmore
Mrs. V. Bissell (1940-50)
Miss J. Stewart (1951-53)
Miss D. Raddon (1953-54)
Miss J. Davidson (1954-55)
Miss M. Seburn (1955-56)
Miss I. Dueck (1956-57)