News Detail
Old Boys' Chairs
When the School buildings were lost to fire in 1926, some furniture was saved, but new furniture was also needed. The December 1927 Shawnigan Lake School Magazine notes that “the scheme of furnishing the Big School room with chairs given by Old Boys is proving a great success.” An alumnus could commission a chair with his name and dates of enrollment at the School carved into the back of the chair. In 1934, it is mentioned that the cost to order a chair was $10. We read, “The Secretary [of the Old Boys’ Society] would like to remind Old Boys that in addition to making themselves immortal, they are also helping the Red Cross Workshops by giving chairs.” By 1934, 97 chairs had been commissioned.
The Canadian Red Cross Workshops were established after WW1 to help disabled soldiers with both medical care and industrial education. Beginning in 1918, Vetcraft Shops were set up across the country, including one in Victoria, BC. The government funded the rent for workshop space, equipment, and supplies, and paid the wounded soldiers for their work. A variety of skills for using different materials was taught, including furniture making, such as the Old Boy’s Chairs. The workshops began to close by the 1930s. The School’s Chair project continued after that, but it is not known who took over from the Vetcraft Shop. The 1956 SLS Magazine laments that the price of an Old Boy’s Chair had risen to $25.
After the Big School space was turned into the library, the chairs were moved to the Chapel where, for many years, they were used at the end of each row of pews and in the balcony. Today, the chairs provide seating in the balcony, and for one full House in the slightly raised section at the back of the Chapel under the bell tower.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
After the Big School space was turned into the library, the chairs were moved to the Chapel where, for many years, they were used at the end of each row of pews and in the balcony. Today, the chairs provide seating in the balcony, and for one full House in the slightly raised section at the back of the Chapel under the bell tower.
The information presented in this write-up is based on current information available in the School's Archives and consultation with key people who have some relevant connection to this "object." If you have further information about this "object" that you would like to contribute, please contact the School’s Advancement Office at alumni@shawnigan.ca.
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