Trafalgar Castle School - Yearbook (Whitby, Ontario Canada)

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ONTARIO LADIES ' COLLEGE, OFFERS THE FOLLOWING ADVANTAGES : • 4 1st. The finest buildings and grounds in Cano 3evofrr1 to the higher education oi young ladies. 2nd. A very complete and efficient staff of instruetur3. i ' - ' visiou i i juado for a thorough grounding in|English, as the true foundation for a fiiiished edur iti ' -n. The simplest elementary subjects are not overlooked, bo that pupils may enter with advantage at an early age, and in any stage of advancement. Special facilities are aHorded for acquiring a thorough and practical knowledge of science. The music department, under the manage- ment of F. H. Torrington, Esq., Conductor of the Pliilharinonic Society of Toronto, is in the highest state of efficiency. French and German are taught by an accompUshed lady, who speaks both languages, and who also possesses a good knowledge of English. Litera- ture, Mathematics, Drawing, Painting, c., are taught in the most eflective manner. 3rd. Well regulated exercise in walking, calisthenics, and riding ; wholesome and nutritious diet ; comfortable and well ventilated rooms, c. ft 4th. A large number of honors to be competed for. Two medals from His Excellency Lord Dufferin ; gold medal from Jas. Patterson, Esq., of Toronto ; a scholarship from Albert Teskey, Esq., of Applet on, and more than 150.00 worth of Prizes. 6th. Fifteen per cent, reduction to those who pay in advance for one year ' s board and tuition. To those who pay by the term :— For second term of attendance, five per cent, off all bills; for third term, ton percent, off; and for fourth term, fifteen per cent. will Via flpflnp.f.pVl .

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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.

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A south view of the college in winter with the telescope house in foreground. Chapter Eight The Visit of the Marquis of Lorne In March of 1878 Mrs. Taverner Graham, a noted elocutionist, presented several read- ings at the Ontario Ladies ' College, including scenes from Shakespeare ' s Macbeth and con- temporary writings. She was so well received by the pupils that in later years she was hired as a teacher. The teaching staff at that time consisted of the Principal Mr. Hare, who taught Natural Science and Mathematics, and the governor Mr. Sanderson, who took English Literature and Language, the classics and Mental and Moral Philosophy. Miss Wilson taught senior English classes, while Miss Maude Jarvis, the college ' s gold medalist of 1887 handled the junior classes. Miss Cowle and Miss Kerr assisted Mr. Torrington with music and Miss Brown taught drawing and painting. Mile Buchannan and latterly Mile Quillet were in charge of Modern Languages, and Major Dearnally, riding and gymnastics. The Board of Directors supplied the col- lege with a collection of maps, globes, physio- logical and botanical charts, and chemical apparatus, and a telescope was set up south of the main building. The telescope was housed in a frame shed with a roof that opened to the sky for night viewing of the stars under the in- struction of the principal. A fossil cabinet contained more than 500 specimens neatly labelled and arranged in cases. Casts of celebrated fossils including a human skull from Neaunderthal near Dusseldorf, Germany were on display. The collection of stuffed birds begun in 1875 had also increased. Attendance reached 110 in 1878, made up of 88 boarders and 22 day pupils. A 15 per cent reduction in fees was offered to those who paid one year ' s board and tuition in advance. An extensive program of lectures by noted professors and elocutionists was conducted through the winter of 1878-79, establishing a tradition that was to prevail well into the 20th century. Prof. Thomas Kirkland and Dr. Haanel of Victoria University offered courses of lectures, along with Mrs. Taverner Graham, a frequent visitor to the college. Late in 1879 the first of OLC ' s monthly magazines, The Sunbeam went into publication. The young ladies submitted poems, stories and essays to The Sunbeam, which was sold in the college and at local stores for 50 cents a copy. The year also saw the resignation of J. E. Sanderson as governor, leaving Mr. Hare to take over that position while continuing his duties as principal. He moved into the Cottage and started his work as governor by extending the college ' s advertising program. On Sept. 20, 1879 the Ontario Ladies ' College was graced with its third visit by a Governor-General, the second s ' nce the official