Original Mildred Hall School to be historicial site
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Feb 23/01) - The original Mildred Hall school became an official historic site Wednesday.
Named after the school's first paid female teacher, the 64-year-old log cabin sits on the present day Mildred Hall school site.
"Times change and it's a pretty good thing to remember the past," former mayor Dave Lovell told several hundred students and visiting dignitaries. Mike Fournier, city of Yellowknife heritage committee member, presented a plaque designating the one-room building an official heritage site. The building will likely be renovated and re-opened to tourists this summer.
Students from Education District No. 1's eight schools contributed photos and cultural tidbits to a time capsule.
The box will be sealed and placed in a rock cairn for 60 years.
A spry looking Mildred Hall, played by the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre's education curator Wendy Stephenson, cut and served a ceremonial cake.
Mildred Hall principal Marion Barnes was delighted with the event. The city's heritage committee donated the old school to District No. 1 some 12 years ago.
"It's an honour and a privilege to have this distinction," Barnes said.
"Having connections with the past makes the present and future all the more relevant."
