The Teacherage

The Teacherage

This building was first erected as a teacherage in 1930 when the McLean Schoolhouse first opened. Miss Sterling was the first teacher to live in the cabin, and later, Miss Manning took her place. Miss Manning was 20 years old when she first came to work for the McLean Mill schoolhouse. During an interview, Miss Manning reported that she had received her teacher's training from the Victoria Normal School after completing her one-year program. She recalled that when she finished her training in 1930, it was difficult to obtain a job because of the depression. Prior to coming here, she had worked as a substitute teacher in Port Alberni part-time. When Miss Manning accepted a position at McLean School (also known as Bainbridge School), she made 58$ a month. After she was married in1934, Miss Roff took her place as the teacher.

The building was divided into two rooms - a kitchen/living room combination in the front with a bedroom in the back. As with other buildings of this period on the site, the teacherage was hooked up to the mill's generator and had a 15 watt light bulb that hung from the ceiling and only worked for a couple of hours in the evening. Coal oil lamps provided additional lighting. When Miss Manning left the mill school in 1934, the building was then used as a single-room mill office, and then, a first aid shack. Here, office functions were performed over the next ten years, and later, the building was used strictly for first aid and storage space.

Restoration:

The Teacherage was found with minimal water damage and rot, and it required fewer restorative measures in comparison to the other buildings onsite. New posts and beams were installed and the porch on the side and rear were reconstructed. A few floor joists were added, as well as some roof repairs.