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Bowmanville’s Central Public School was built on Wellington Street in 1889, and has continued to educate local children for the last 125 years. Though much has changed in the Bowmanville community with new development stretching us further in all directions, this historic school house, built in Romanesque style, remains fully operational in the heart of Old Bowmanville.The building sits on the site of the former Bowmanville United Common and Grammar School, which resided in the former town hall and town jail. The old Union School burned to the ground in 1887. The current Central Public School replaced it. The Toronto Saturday Globe declared Central Public School as being “unequalled at that time, in any other town its size, having the latest heating, lighting and equipment.”

 

Many thousands of students have come and gone through Central’s doors. Some notable Central alumni include Nina Neads, one of the first successful Business women in Bowmanville. She started her career in the insurance business in 1911 and was still active upon her death in 1963. George James, long time editor (1922 to 1958) of the award winning Canadian Statesman newspaper was another who began his education at Central. Dr. Ross Tilley attended Central as a child. His pioneering work with burned airmen during World War II laid the foundation for the current advanced level of plastic surgery today. Famous sculptor E.B. Cox graduated from Central in 1925. His work can be found in Museums and Universities across the country. This community school has provided stability and continuity to generations of children, families, and community groups.

 

We look forward to celebrating this landmark year by welcoming visitors to discover the school as part of this year’s Clarington Doors Open event (Saturday, June 14, 2014) and with an Anniversary Open House at the school (Friday Oct 3, 2014). Central School Council is working to create a gathering that will bridge the past generations of Central students to present and future students, as well as unveil a legacy project that is underway to mark this special year. Unique plans for a new playable landscape and outdoor classroom have been created for our school yard, which also serves as downtown green space. The design plans aim to tell the history of this school and its community. School Council has retained the work of Earthartist, a sustainable playable landscape architect firm and the school has also been selected as a TVO “Giver” playground. The community-build construction dates have been set for September 6, 7, and 8, 2014.

 

Grants and community resources are being sought to assist in the cost and installation of this significant anniversary project.Details regarding the Anniversary Open House on October 3 can be obtained closer to the event by contacting the school. Any local businesses, individuals or community groups interested in partnering in a piece of our community, legacy, playscape/greenspace project, may also contact Kathryn Davidson, School Principal, at (905) 623-5614 or by emailing kathryn_davidson@kprdsb.ca.