The Millgrove School

The first school in Millgrove was a one-storey frame building built during the 1840s and was situated on the farm of Charles Flatt. Students sat on benches around a sloping table which extended out from the walls. The second school was a short distance from the Grindstone Creek on Millgrove Side Road, on a farm owned by Andrew Carey. An American teacher by the name of Mr. Edson was the first teacher, followed by Mr. Berney and Mr. Bradley. Strict discipline was the norm as even Mr. Bradley’s amputated leg did not keep him from intimidating the young men who came to school during the off-season.

Around 1868 a one-storey brick school was erected to replace the former school, and as the population of Millgrove increased, a second storey was added. It was in this building that James Stewart conducted the Senior class upstairs as Principal around the turn of the century. He was renowned as a remarkable teacher as well as an active citizen who took a lively part in social and community events, he was also involved with establishing a Public Library at the School. The present School was built in 1915 and the vacated school building was used as a vegetable storage and was eventually demolished in the 1920s.