Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

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rVhitby, June 23, 1875. Chemist and Druggist, Whitby. DNTARIO LADIES ' COLLEGE, CLOSING EXEBCISES. ' Monday and Tuesday, June 28th and 29tli, ;lass examination to which the public aee invited.! Tuesday, June 2Dtli, at 7.30, p. m, MUSICAL AND LITEEARY ENTERTAINMENT. FEEE. Wednesday, June SOtli, at 7.30, p. m., C O isr C E T . Ml Admission, 25 cents. Proceeds in aid of College Library. JOHN J. HARE Vhhly, June IGlli, 1875. OHN G. ECBINSOK, M. A., r|l II E

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on the piano. The pianos, a Decker and two Hazeltons, were samples of about a dozen supplied to the college by Mason Risch and Newcombe, of Toronto. At the August meeting of the Board of Di- rectors, a bylaw amendment came forth to increase the number of directors from nine to 21, with seven to be ministers named by the Toronto Conference. The seven ministers selected were Revs. Dr. Wood, president of the Toronto Conference; D. C. McDowell, E. H. Dewart, editor of the Christian Guardian; J. E. Betts, J. E. Sanderson, G. Leech and R. H. Smith, whose appointment was ratified at the annual meeting of the stockholders. The annual meeting was scheduled for Sept. 3 but had to be postponed because not all the stock- holders had received their notices. The directors reported a surplus for the first year of $500, to be spent on finishing a suite of rooms for a dining room and kitchen. The secretary, John Rice, reported a total budget of $45, 582. 25 to July 31, 1875, but Chester Draper questioned the report, stating several items were not included, which would give a false picture to the stockholders. The statement was correct as far as it went, but it was not complete, he said. Mr. Coulthard ob- jected to paying both a governor and a principal, when he understood the jobs were to be handled by one man. Mr. Hare replied that Mr. Coulthard ' s remarks were both unjust and un- kind to himself and Mr. Sanderson, who had many difficulties to surmount. Mr. Sanderson said he was receiving $500 less as governor than he did on the Methodist circuit before he joined the college, and was so overworked that he could not even take two days ' vacation from his duties. OLC was not a money-making place or a place of rest he contended, regretting his services were not better appreciated. The Ontario Ladies ' College opened its second year Sept. 7, 1875. The first term lasted from Sept. 7 to Nov. 15; second term, Nov. 16 to Feb. 7; third term, Feb. 8 to April 20; and fourth term April 21 to June 29. In October Mr. Hare reported the donation of a case of stuffed birds from a Mr. Haycock of Yorkville. Further gifts of stuffed animals and birds followed, providing a fine display which was housed for many years on the first floor of Ryerson Hall. The first prize to be offered for competi- tion at the Ontario Ladies ' College was pre- sented at the Christmas concert, Dec. 22, 1875. Called the Christina Teskey Scholarship, after a student who died at the Hamilton Ladies ' College, it consisted of $20 a year, donated by her uncle, Albert Teskey of Appleton, Ont. T. H. McMillan, of Whitby, offered a silver medal, and it was not long before other noted men of Whitby and Toronto added to the list of prizes. Attendance at OLC continued to in- crease into 1876, with 105 pupils registered during the first and second terms of that year, representing an advance in fees of over $3, 000. Elocution instruction under Mrs. Taverner began in April along with gymnastics and riding instruction under Major Dearnally of the Queen ' s Life Guards, who had taught at many ladies ' schools in Canada. Club exer- cises and w alking were his specialty. The gymnastics, offered three times a week, were believed to contribute much to the health and appearance of the pupils. Major Dearnally presented his first demonstration of his teaching at the closing exercises in July 1876, receiving such high praise that four prizes were offered on the spot by interested specta- tors . As final examination time approached again, noted professors from Toronto were called in to conduct the exams. Among these was Prof. Thomas Kirkland, principal of the Toronto Normal School, who took charge of the chemistry examination. Prof. Kirkland con- gratulated the pupils on receiving a standard of 74 to 84 per cent. Had they been up for examination at the University, they would have all received first class, he said. A former headmaster of the Whitby High School, he was pleased to return to his home town. A literary entertainment at commencement featured an essay on the subject This is but the dawn that speaketh of the noontide yet to be, by Miss Lillie Gray, of Cartwright, the college ' s first graduate. On commencement day she received the degree of Mistress of English Literature (MEL) and $100 worth of prizes. More than 150 paintings and drawings by the pupils were neatly framed and exhibited in the drawing room for viewing by visitors. The closing concert, always a tradition at the commencement exercises, was held June 28 and prizes awarded to those who stood first, second and third in the chief subjects of the college: English Grammar, Spelling, Writing, Composition, Geography, English History, Ancient History, English Literature, Elocu- tion, Rhetoric, Bookkeeping, Latin, Arithme- tic, Algebra, Geometry, French, Botany, Zoology, Natural Philosophy, Physical Geo- graphy, Astronomy, Natural Theology, Evi- dences, Scripture, Mental Philosophy, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Drawing, Crayons, Painting, Waxwork, Riding and Walking Exer- cises, and Gymnastics. In August 1876 the visitors from the Toron- to Conference presented their annual report, expressing pleasure at the fine moral and edu- cational standing of the college. The directors reported an attendance of 65 boarders and 20 day pupils for 1875-76 and a net surplus of nearly $1, 500. The 1870s were described as hard times, but the college proved its worth by attracting more than 60 boarders for the coming fall opening to the great satisfaction of the directors. PHOTO AT RIGHT: Announcement of first closing exercises, June 28-30, 1875, printed in Whitby Chronicle.

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Chapter Seven The Building of Ryerson Hall By 1877 it was evident to all on the Board of Directors that several improvements were required at the Ontario Ladies ' College to meet the needs of the expanding enrolment. In the early part of the year a large deep well was dug and a windmill erected to supply water for the college. In April the college directors appealed to the town to construct a board side- walk on Gilbert Street so the students would not have to go by Dundas Street to get to church. When told that the college paid no taxes, some councillors were against the pro- vision of the sidewalk but they were reminded that the college spent $15, 000 a year in Whitby --a sum far greater than could be realized by taxes. Council estimated the cost of the side- walk to be $600 but instead of granting that sum, it allowed money for repairs in the centre ward which would include Gilbert Street. With the increasing enrolment and growing popularity of the college the directors decided early in 1877 that a major expansion of facili- ties was required. A call for tenders was issued in May for an addition, the tender of Henry Langley, a Toronto architect, being ac- cepted. Thomas and May of Oshawa received the contract for about $1, 000 for the erection of a wing to the north of Trafalgar Castle and a residence for the governor south of the main building. This residence was joined to the main building by Frances Hall 18 years later. The residence, known as The Cottage and the new wing were both constructed in the same architectural style as the main college building. The first floor of the wing contained a hall 50 by 60 feet with a permanent platform and was divided by rolling partitions into six class- rooms. Seating capacity was 500 with room on the platform for 100 pupils. This room served as the college ' s concert hall until the building of Frances Hall in 1895. On the second and third floors were 12 rooms each, for accom- modation of pupils. The new wing was named Ryerson Hall in honor of Ontario ' s ex-superintendent of educa- tion Dr. Egerton Ryerson, who came to Whitby to lay the cornerstone at the commencement exercises in June. The ceremony took place in the evening, beginning with an address by President Holden outlining the growth of the college and Dr. Ryerson ' s career in education. The president then handed a silver trowel to the grand old man of Methodism and education, who proceeded to place the stone. Dr. Ryerson spoke briefly on the importance of female education, stating he believed colleges for ladies and gentlemen should be separate. It was of vital necessity that the mothers of Canada be educated so their sons would not re- main ignorant, he told the gathering, and went on to encourage the development of such in- stitutions as the Ontario Ladies ' College. Ryerson Hall was constructed during the sum- mer and fall of 1877 and opened early the following year. During 1877 the college offered a certifi- cate to parents and others who came to visit which would permit them to return by the Grand Trunk Railway at one third fare. This was designed to encourage visitors to come and see the advantages of OLC. Special events of the year included the annual Christmas concert and an entertainment in German and French. New prizes were offered at the 1877 commencement, including a gold medal by James Patterson of Toronto, and two medals by the Governor- General. Diplomas were now offered for Mistress of Liberal Arts (MLA) and Mistress of English Literature (MEL), and an increas- ing number of cash prizes by local business- men and friends of the college. With Ryerson Hall increasing the accommodation of the Ontario Ladies ' College the year ended on a highly successful note. OLC in 1877, with Ryerson Hall at left and The Cottage at right. PHOTO AT RIGHT: 1878 advertisement.