The Red Brick School
The Red Brick School in Elgin Ontario is both the symbolic and physical home for the Elgin and Area Heritage Society. This building was unique at the time it was constructed in 1887 due to its advanced design. Since 2003 it has been meticulously restored by the Society and used to retain and reinforce local history.
This School consists of two classrooms, the Junior Room and the Senior Room. The Society completely transformed the Junior Room so that it can function as a late 19th century classroom. Today’s students learn how different things were without mobile devices, electric power, or running water. Visiting students experience instruction using period teaching methods, (but thankfully no yardsticks or canes are necessary). They discover that the curriculum includes lessons in memory work, cursive writing using chalk and a slate, and Roman numerals.
The Senior Room is now used as a heritage focused event area and lecture space. Events over the years have showcased local families and stories, veterans, school houses and an iconic photographer, with more plans for the future.
Learning makes the world a better place, but it doesn’t just happen in the classroom - it’s a life-long pursuit. But what a classroom we’ve created with the Red Brick School.
Come aboard at the Red Brick School and navigate the historic Rideau Canal every weekend, 10am to 3pm, from June 28th through August 31st. The Rideau Canal is a series of rivers, lakes, channels and locks that form a continuous 202 km waterway from Kingston to Ottawa. Designed and constructed between 1826 and 1832, by Lt. Col. John by and his team, this engineering marvel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As a precursor to 200th Anniversary of the start of construction for the Rideau Canal in 2026, the 200th Anniversary of its completion will be in 2032, the Elgin and Area Heritage Society (EAHS) presents a pictural display of the Locks of the Rideau Canal, expertly compiled by EAHS Partner Glen Russell, in collaboration with Rideau Canal Researcher Ken Watson.
The exhibit presents photos of the historic Rideau Canal from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The 67 remastered colour prints displayed on 16 6’ x 2’ panels, feature 34 maps, 24 lock stations and 47 locks, with the photos and maps linked to allow your experience to be both visual and spatial.
Contributing photographers to this one-of-a-kind display are: Clifford Pennock (30); Marsden Kemp (5); William Topley (2); James Ballantyne; Clifford Johnson; John Boyd; J.J. Kerfoot; Samuel J. Jarvis; Mr. Newman and Unknown (24).
Don’t be left high and dry on the dock, waving to your family and friends as they sail off through the EAHS display of the Historic Rideau Canal.
Calm Sailing
A Complex Mantage
Over the Top!
Water, Water Everywhere!
What Happened?
Heading South
Upcoming Events
In the Works
Come aboard for a summer cruise at the Red Brick School and experience the Historic Rideau Canal presented by the Elgin and Area Heritage Society. A multi-panel display of photographs has been designed by EAHS partner Glen Russell, with the assistance of Ken Watson. The display of remastered photos, many of which are by Clifford Pennock, will be open for your viewing pleasure every weekend from 10am to 3pm June 28, 2025 through August 31, 2025. No boarding pass needed, so come aboard and don't get left on the dock!
![RC_Social_Post_7_V2_Small[1]](https://eahs.ca/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/RC_Social_Post_7_V2_Small1-300x207-landscape-2989f883624180b21f794eb88e43497f-.jpg "RC_Social_Post_7_V2_Small[1]")
Calm Sailing
The Rideau King steams through the Nicholson’s lock channel on its way South to Kingston. Note the sides of the channel – the left appears to be man-made stacked stone whereas the right appears more natural. Do the sawhorses on the small dock suggest repairs of some sort are in the works, or are they […]
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A Complex Mantage
There is much contrast in this intriguing photo of the Rideau Queen heading North towards Ottawa. The calm waters around Queen, the turbulence within the Hogs Back Lock #2, the lumber piled on shore, the trickle of water to the right, the narrow path snaking beside the canal, and no people. What do you think […]
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Over the Top!
At Edmonds Lock, looking North towards Old Sly Lockstation we get just a glimpse of a lock gate with the two crabs (what do you think they are?) in clear view. On the upper right we see water rushing over the top of the low dam. Low dams were utilized at Edmonds and very few […]
Water, Water Everywhere!
Imagine trying to walk the precarious planks on the top of the Chaffeys Lock grist mill flume as water spews from every crack and crevice! This picture, taken in 1899 looking South towards Kingston, captures the mill, built by John Chaffey in 1872, which appears to be in a state of disrepair, perhaps vulnerable to […]
![Kingston Mills, showing mill with damaged wall
Depicted place Kingston Mills, Ontario
Date [between 1898 and 1920]
Medium Glass plate negative
Dimensions 9 x 9
Collection Archives of Ontario
Accession number
I0013088
Source All images from the Marsden Kemp fonds](https://eahs.ca/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/RC_Social_Post_4_V2_Small1-300x290-landscape-26f9928205c9e28725c3f0b550cc05b8-.jpg "RC_Social_Post_4_V2_Small[1]")
What Happened?
What on earth gnawed such a giant hole in the side of the mill at Kingston Mills? Could it have been an accident, faulty contruction, age stress? Will the weakened structure succumb to the torrent of water raging over the rocks beside it? Will it just become more rubble as seen in the foreground? So […]
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Heading South
What is about to enter the recently filled lock? Looking South at Kingston Mills the North lock gate is open, see just a sliver of the gate on the lower right, which begs the question what is about to enter: a pleasure craft, a barge, perhaps the Rideau King? Who is the figure on the […]
Keep’er off the walls, mate!
A lone workman struggles with the tiller trying to keep the vessel true in the lock. Something can be seen spilling through the door on the left, what do you think the barge is carrying?
The Historic Rideau Canal
Come aboard for a summer cruise at the Red Brick School and experience the Historic Rideau Canal presented by the Elgin and Area Heritage Society. A multi-panel display of photographs has been designed by EAHS partner Glen Russell, with the assistance of Ken Watson. The display of remastered photos, many of which are by Clifford […]
RDHS Student’s Research Wins Trip
Members of the EAHS Board of Directors were pleased to meet Rideau District High School student Arden Lowry, along with local historian/researcher Kim Proud, at the Red Brick School on October 3, 2024, to hear of Arden’s WW1 research and upcoming trip.
WWI – 156th Leeds & Grenville Overseas Battalion C.E.F. Summer of 1916 at Barriefield Camp.
This intriguing article detailing the life of members of the 156th Platoon from recruitment to transport overseas to engage in the war will both entertain and educate you. . Researched and written by Kim Proud, you will be transported to the life and times at the Barriefield Camp.