The Bedford Sisters Act Clue # 1

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In February 2022 our WISH team went on a sightseeing tour through Hastings Country and north along the Trent River to find the River Valley Women’s Institute Hall.
The structure that is now River Valley Centre has had a diverse history. We were told that a small rural Methodist Church was first erected at this site along the Frankford-Stirling Road. This probably accounts for the adjacent pioneer cemetery which is dated 1856.
The building’s function transitioned to that of a one-room elementary school. The cement plaque over the front entrance reads “River Valley S.S. # 19 erected 1881”. In the early 1900’s when schools were the social hubs for their communities, River Valley Women’s Institute spearheaded the construction of an addition at the rear of the school to serve as a kitchen.
With the ‘baby boom’ following WWII, the school population increased so much that the addition was taken over as a second classroom.
When the Province of Ontario amalgamated the rural school sections into a larger school board in the mid 1960’s, plans were soon made to close the smaller schools and transport all the students to nearby Stirling. The school board hoped to sell the River Valley School at full market value after protocol was followed by offering the surplus school first to the local Catholic Board and next to the local municipality at a minimal price. Residents of River Valley were devastated as they were about to lose the last of their community buildings available for public meetings and get-togethers. However, River Valley Women’s Institute members rallied to find a solution. The WI approached their local township council. An agreement was reached that the municipality (which is now part of Quinte West) would purchase the school and the River Valley Women’s Institute would have full use for an annual fee. Included in the agreement is the stipulation that if the building is ever sold all profits will be given to the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation. The plaque erected over the front door features the FWIO crest under the words “River Valley Centre”. Beneath the crest are the words “Women’s Institute” and the date 1969.
The community is fortunate to have this well maintained hall still available for meetings and social gatherings as a result of the foresight and advocacy of their Women’s Institute.

Notes

Submission part of the WISH challenge for WI's 125th anniversary.

Date of Publication

Feb 2022

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