History of the Matchedash Community Heritage Centre
Formed in 1997, MCHC is a non-profit organization. Our hall, the former SS#8 Matchedash School, was brought back from a condemned state to the functional community centre it is today.
The hall houses the archives, impressive antique photograph collection, and museum items of Matchedash's past. There is also a 4000 book library and public internet access. The hall and the various meeting rooms are available to rent.
History of the North River School, est. 1880
North River, 1922
This parcel of land was purchased on June18, 1879 from William Drew Lovering for the amount of $10. The purpose was to erect a school, S.S.#8, otherwise known as The North River School. This school would be a "union school", which meant persons from any surrounding township could enroll here, not just the children of Matchedash.
The original school was built in 1880 and consisted of two classrooms and a cloakroom. It was destroyed by fire in 1914.
The exsisting red brick school building was built in 1915. It was also a two room school house but also contained a teachers room. During the late 1930's, students also received some secondary school education at the North River School. The school operated until 1967 when Simcoe County decided to close all rural schools and bus the children to larger schools in more urban centres. From 1968 until 1994, the old school building housed the Matchedash Township Municipal Office, Community Hall and Library. Then everything changed in 1994. Condemned and in sad shape, the old school house which educated generations of Matchedash children sat empty for 3 years until bought by the MCHC in 1997. Now it is a restored treasure for the people of Matchedash to be proud of!
