Victorian Public Schools Four Victorian era public schools are still standing in Peterborough. Central School started as a log cabin that doubled as a church on Sundays. The first brick building, Peterborough Union School (1860), included both elementary and high school, and was an Italianate building with a four-storey central tower. The tower was unfortunately deemed unsafe and cut in half in the late 1960s. In 1871, a second building for elementary students was added to the west, and the first building was used for the high school. The new building was expanded in 1891. By 1895, it was necessary to also rent a manor house on George Street (Menzies House, demolished in the mid 20 th century) to accommodate the student overflow. Plans were made to erect a new high school. Peterborough was a relatively wealthy town, but the project still took over a decade to complete. The new high school (Peterborough Collegiate) w...
The Mechanics Institute (1868) The first public library in Peterborough was established in this Water Street building in 1895. Carnegie Library (1911) The Andrew Carnegie Foundation provided funding for the first dedicated library building, which served until 1980. Preserved, it's now an annex of City Hall. I love the velvety red brick! Peterborough Public Library (1980) The renovations and new additions to the existing library are nearing completion while the library has its temporary home on the lower level of Peterborough Square. I can't wait to see what the new library will be like inside!
Bellevue (1866) Rev. Mark Burnham built this house for his second son John. Originally Bellevue was quite similar to Engleburn, although more Canadian in style. The house has been much altered over the years. One most interesting feature is a guillotine door between two parlour rooms that could be raised and lowered as needed, disappearing between two walls on the second floor. Dr. George Burnham Cottage (1867) This Regency style cottage was the home and office of Dr. George Burnham, Rev. Mark Burnham's third son. He occupied the house for about five years before moving to more spacious accommodation on Brock Street in Peterborough.
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