3 generations of Becky Barrie’s family attended the same Ontario school. Now, it’s her home

The Dickie Settlement Schoolhouse holds a special place in the hearts of the Barrie family, with generations of family members attending the school dating back to the early 1890s. Becky Barrie, who attended the school in 1967 along with her siblings, decided to purchase the property when it went up for sale in 1999. Despite initial skepticism from her father, Dave Barrie, Becky saw the potential to preserve the family history and the community ties associated with the school.

After moving into the schoolhouse, Becky embarked on renovations while maintaining the original classrooms where Grades 1 to 8 were taught. Over the years, she discovered various items from the school’s past, such as ink wells, pottery, pencils, and even a sock shoved down a sink. The original room where classes were held remains intact, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that Dave Barrie describes as “absolutely amazing.”

To celebrate the school’s legacy and reconnect with former students and staff, Becky held an alumni open house at her home, which was once the Dickie Settlement Schoolhouse. Dozens of attendees, including Kate Cressman, Robert Hanna, and George Barrie, shared fond memories of their time at the school and marveled at the updates Becky made to the building. For George Barrie, who is the oldest living student from Dickie Settlement at 94, the event was a fantastic opportunity to reunite with old classmates.

During the open house, stories of school fairs, recess activities, and unique ways of getting to the school were shared among the alumni. Ron Sage, a former student, fondly recalled winning a trophy for a silver plate collection competition, while George Barrie reminisced about building snow forts and playing football during recess. Dave Barrie shared memories of skiing or snowshoeing to the school through farmers’ fields and sugar bush in the winter.

The open house served as a trip down memory lane for all attendees, allowing them to reconnect with their past and celebrate the rich history of the Dickie Settlement Schoolhouse. The event brought together former students and staff, creating a sense of community and nostalgia that will be cherished for years to come.