Wainwright School Dormitory
The Wainwright Dormitory was opened in the fall of 1946 with Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Carter in charge. The dormitory was constructed by joining two rural school buildings and building on space for lounges and bathrooms. One of the schools came from the Airlie School District near the Saskatchewan border. The other school was St. Jean Baptiste from south of Chauvin.
The first year 42 students from Chauvin, Jarrow, Edgerton and Irma resided in the dorm. Board and room was $35 per month. The students were required to do certain duties, such as dish washing, setting tables and preparing vegetables for meals. They could stay over the weekend if unable to get home, but were expected to attend the church of their choice Sunday morning.
Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Carter did their best to make life in the dormitory home- like. Special meals were prepared for holidays, and birthdays were celebrated. The Carters also attended school dances. In June 1950, the dormitory closed as a residence for high school students. During the ’50s, the building was used for extra classrooms and meeting rooms for different clubs.
In March 1960, Mrs. Kathleen Miller moved into the suite in the building. The superintendent, Mr. G. Hall, asked if she would take in handicapped children from outside points, that they may attend the Opportunity Room in Wainwright. So, from Easter of 1960 to June of 1967, the dormitory was home to handicapped children from Monday to Friday with Mrs. Kathleen Miller as dormitory mother. The Jr. Opportunity Room was taught by Mrs. Margaret Clifford in the dormitory from 1962-1963. From September 1967 to June 1973, Mrs. Featherstone was in charge of the dormitory for handicapped children.
The building stood empty until 1977 when it was torn down and the area prepared for a parking lot.
Wainwright School Dormitory
Submitted by Nancy Ryall
18-19