Woodwork Shop
In C.W. Lonsdale’s report to the Board in 1928, he stated, “We have opened up a space in the attic, 80 feet long and 12 feet wide, as a temporary home for boys [who are] anxious to use tools for work in the nature of wood modelling, fret work and kindred efforts. There is, however, very little assistance which we are able to give those boys; . . . our ideal should eventually be to have a manual training instructor with a properly equipped workshop.” A student from the early 1930s remembers Mr. Hawksford, a man who worked in maintenance, starting the first “Hobby Shop” in the basement, underneath the gym.
In 1934, when the Hobbies Building (now known as the Bruce-Lockhart Centre for Creativity) was built, the Woodworking activity finally had a home; however, lack of heat in the building limited activity in winter. Equipment was gradually added over time, including a variety of both hand and power tools. It seems that the space was available for the boys to work in their free time; some staff who were not the designated Woodwork teacher were drawn to the Shop, where they enjoyed working alongside the students, offering them some guidance and/or producing their own projects. The first clear reference to an Industrial Arts instructor is not until 1954, with the arrival of Mr. Ray Carr. Under Mr. Carr’s guidance, “a large number of boys spent many profitable, industrious hours at the benches.”
Of course, safety is a high priority. Students must pass a written test before they are allowed to handle tools. Today’s workshop is full of both traditional and modern equipment, and there is an excellent exhaust system. Of special interest are two “Saw Stop” table saws, which employ a braking system that detects contact between skin and saw blade, averting serious injury.
A wide array of projects have been produced in the shop. While the perennial favourites include furniture, such as tables, cabinets and bookcases, students have also designed and built model boats, actual sailing dinghies, intricate boxes, a variety of musical instruments, and even a full-sized trebuchet. The artistic muse is alive and well among the sawdust and woodchips found in the Woodwork Shop.
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.
Of course, safety is a high priority. Students must pass a written test before they are allowed to handle tools. Today’s workshop is full of both traditional and modern equipment, and there is an excellent exhaust system. Of special interest are two “Saw Stop” table saws, which employ a braking system that detects contact between skin and saw blade, averting serious injury.
A wide array of projects have been produced in the shop. While the perennial favourites include furniture, such as tables, cabinets and bookcases, students have also designed and built model boats, actual sailing dinghies, intricate boxes, a variety of musical instruments, and even a full-sized trebuchet. The artistic muse is alive and well among the sawdust and woodchips found in the Woodwork Shop.
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.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
