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CLARENCE, N.S. — A piece of Clarence’s history was celebrated recently.
The community gathered as a plaque designating the Clarence East School as a municipal heritage property was unveiled.
“Some may look at buildings such as the Clarence East School and not recognize the importance built heritage has on rural communities,” said Avery Jackson, a community member and chair of the County of Annapolis’ Heritage Advisory Committee. “I argue that they are the very essence thereof. Once these buildings are gone, they don’t come back, and places like Clarence would turn into just another country back road. …
“These structures help to define a sense of place, an identity for a community, and most importantly a place to call home.”
Read more Avery Jackson has helped save church, schoolhouse in Clarence, N.S., before his 25th birthday
Avery Jackson has helped save church, schoolhouse in Clarence, N.S., before his 25th birthday
The school, now home to the community hall, was built in 1891 on the site of the community’s original school, which goes to around 1845. One of the school’s early teachers later commissioned a boarding school down the road and had teachers from England come to instruct English, Latin, French, drawing, painting, music and more.
The Clarence East School closed in 1968 with a couple of groups maintaining it through the subsequent years.
“Historic buildings such as this one (are) becoming rarer and rarer,” Jackson said. “This ceremony is not just about celebrating the architecture of this building, but also the protection of heritage in Annapolis County.”
A summary of the architecture of the Clarence East School:
Greek Revival style. Steeply pitch front gable roof on 1 ½ storey wooden structure. Shed roof dormer on side of the roof. Three bay façade with central doorway. Bracketed portico over the door. One-storey shed roof entry porch on the side of the building and an addition in the rear of the building.
Source – Nova Scotia Housing and Municipal Affairs.
Jackson said the municipal heritage status helped persevere the building.
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the building's fate was uncertain, with an ever-growing list of repairs – partly to blame (on) a pesky tenant raccoon – and with ever-dwindling coffers,” Jackson said. “Heritage status has meant that this building can receive grants that help assist with exterior renovations.”
The repairs – the largest at the facility since the 1950s – include the addition of a steel roof and two heat pumps plus the building being repainted to ensure it will around for future generations.
The hall is used by community groups and houses the Clarence Country Market, which began last year. It is the club’s major source of revenue. It runs every Sunday from June 12 to Nov. 6.
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