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Crofton Old School Museum a treasure on the waterfront

Newcomers and long-time residents alike will find lots to explore
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The Crofton Old School Museum sits near the Crofton waterfront. (Photo by Don Bodger)

There’s plenty to learn about and see at the Crofton Old School Museum.

It may be a one-room schoolhouse, but there’s numerous exhibits packed into the space depicting Crofton’s history that will be worth checking out for long-time residents and visitors.

The museum on the Crofton waterfront above the Crofton Seniors Centre was closed all of last year due to COVID.

Volunteers have been rounded up and the museum is now open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The school holds many precious memories for the community. Several families with students who attended the school still reside in the area.

“I was in the last class, Grade 6,” recalled Laurie Pauls, the vice president of the Crofton Old School Museum Society. Her sister Doreen Knight is the president of the society that operates the museum.

Crofton’s first school was built in 1905 to serve the growing population of the town at the time, primarily from the development in 1902 of a copper smelter on the shores of Osborne Bay. The old school ceased operation in 1969 and was later moved from its previous site to Joan Avenue in 1985.

Visitors passing through with past connections are enjoying the museum.

“People that were in (this morning) moved away in ‘66,” noted Pauls. “They were happy to see it.”

Many of the artifacts have been there for a considerable time, but worth exploring again.

Class photographs that are a historical who’s who cover many of the early years of the school and there’s also an abundance of newspaper clippings with reference to Crofton to look over.

“I invite anyone new to the area or others to come down and have a look again,” said Pauls.

There’s no admission change.

“The building needs some maintenance,” said volunteer Gaylene Wellman. “Donations are always welcome.”

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A classroom setting inside the Crofton Old School Museum. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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A scale model of the North Western Smelting and Refining Co. Crofton Copper Smelter. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Painting and some seaside accessories in one of the displays. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Scale model of a seafaring ship. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Historic photos on a shelf are worth chekcing out. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Lots of kitchen items from back in the day on display. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Crofton School Class of 1948. (Photo by Don Bodger)
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Laurie Pauls with a photo in the Crofton Old School Museum of her great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Stan Dyke, from their wedding in 1895. (Photo by Don Bodger)


Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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