Schools have historically played a vital role in creating a sense of community.
“They (schools) have created a community focus for many years,” said Deryck Cowling, Nanaimo-Ladysmith Retired Teachers’ Association event coordinator. “The Nanaimo area has the longest record of continuous education in the province.”
To celebrate the importance of public education over the years in the area the Nanaimo-Ladysmith Retired Teacher’s Association has partnered with Nanaimo Community Archives and the Nanaimo Museum to create a display of artifacts that highlight Nanaimo’s educational life. It’s on display at the museum during March.
The display will feature artifacts from the association’s Skipsey Heritage Collection, which is usually housed at Nanaimo District Secondary School.
The collection holds items that date back to the 1850s and 1860s. It includes educational textbooks, a typewriter, historical photographs of schools in the area, old school bells, projectors and other materials. The artifacts have been incorporated into the museum’s permanent educational exhibit.
The Nanaimo-Ladysmith Retired Teachers’ Association is also hosting a special public reception on March 12, 1-4 p.m. at the Nanaimo Museum and is inviting both retired and current teachers and the public to attend.
“We hope to kick off the exhibit in good fashion,” said Cowling. “The reception is to celebrate the legacy of public education in the community.”
arts@nanaimobulletin.com