The Havelock School takes visitors back to days of multi-grade classrooms – a one room school house, complete with desks, books, maps, etc. A large wood stove heated the schoolhouse at the time. Many Christmas concerts and recitals took place in the schoolhouse – it was the hub of a rural community district.
Havelock School District was organized in 1909-10 because of the increase in the population in the area a few miles south of Minnedosa, where a large number of Swedish families and other nationalities had recently settled. The school was built in 1910 at a cost of $1650 and opened for classes in April 1911. The school was located 3 miles south of Minnedosa on the west side of what is now Provincial Road 262. Because of the vote for a larger school district the school was closed in 1966.
Mrs. Vint was the last teacher to have the assignment at the Havelock school. Three generations of students had attended the school since 1910. The school was sold to the Minnedosa Museum for $1.00 and, in 1967, was moved into town and located beside the original cinder block Museum on 2nd Ave. N.W. (beside the Masonic Hall). The old school remained on that site until September 22, 1997, when it was moved by Minty Movers, to the site of the newly formed Heritage Village, where it was put onto a new cement foundation.
The school and it’s contents represent the early years of the 1900’s classroom. It’s shelves and cupboards contain records from the many schools that were part of the surrounding district’s history.
It is open to the public approximately 8 weeks a year, from July 1st to the September long weekend, and at other times by appointment. Country schools no longer exist but having the original Havelock School located and maintained in our Heritage Village will help to preserve our history and memories of a time gone by.
