A peek into the educational past

Brian A. Brown's book, 'Opening Tomorrow's Doors,' a must-read for history buffs

Brian A. Brown's book,
"Opening Tomorrow's Doors."
Photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

For three years, Moose Jaw's Ross School served as military barracks in the Second World War.

This was the case from February 1942 to June 1945. In the First World War, the same school was used as a military hospital from 1917 to 1920.

When Hillcrest School opened in Moose Jaw in 1917, the school board appointed the first female principal in the Moose Jaw public school system, something author Brian A. Brown said in his book, 'Opening Tomorrow's Doors' was "a rare appointment for the country in those days."

In 1929, for $60 per year, students could take first and second year university programs at Central Collegiate.

It is interesting little nuggets like these - and many more - that are detailed in Brown's 192-page book that was published by the 100th anniversary of the Moose Jaw School District No. 1, formed in 1884.

Detailing the first century of education in the Friendly City, Brown's book explores the various aspects in the development of education in the city, including influences of politics and religion, particularly in the early years. It looks at how the wars affected education in the city and certainly shows how times have changed.

The book also features a number of newspaper clippings, school board documents and archived photos to help enhance this glimpse into the past.

For instance, three welded statues stand in front of A.E. Peacock Collegiate - one of 'Man of Industry' made by the welding class at the Moose Jaw Technical High School (now Peacock Collegiate) in 1939; one of Sir Winston Churchill made in 1941; and one with names of everyone from Moose Jaw who gave their lives in the Second World War in 1949. This stature, featuring three figures standing or kneeling over a grave, represent the army, navy and air force branches of wartime service.

These are details provided in the book, but it also details about the class that made the statues and the circumstances that led them to make more than one.

The book spends time devoted to Victoria School, Alexandra School, King Edward School, Crescent School and many others. Many of these schools no longer exist and details surrounding that are revealed in the book.

The book transcends into the more modern era and into the future, posing the question of "How will we open tomorrow's doors?" Will it be done with taking care of our own or taking care of each other? This is an important distinction and that debate is explored within Brown's pages.

Brown's book is more than simply a must-read for history buffs; it offers an insight into the world of education and how it became what it is today. It's a solid read for anyone wanting to know. After all, it's the past that often speaks to the present and the future, in many ways.

*** This review also appeared in the Dec. 2, 2015 edition of the Moose Jaw Times-Herald weekly paper, UnCut.