Link to:
Superintendents | Military Commanding Officers | Tuxedo Model School Staff | Teachers’ College Principals | Teachers’ College Vice-Principals | Teachers’ College Teachers | Photos & Coordinates | Sources
Designed by architect John Danley Atchison and built by Carter-Hall-Aldinger in 1921, the Manitoba School for the Deaf was a residential facility for the education of deaf students from across the prairie provinces. Its cornerstone was laid on 9 May 1921 and pupils transferred here on 22 September 1922. Within the main lobby is a bronze plaque commemmorating former Superintendents Duncan Wendell McDermid and Howard John McDermid, as unveiled during the Manitoba School for the Deaf reunion on 20-24 June 1923.
During the Second World War, the site was used as part of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The No. 3 Wireless School, built by local contractor Gerard Alphonsus “Gerry” Baert, opened on 17 February 1941 to train Wireless Air Gunners and Ground Signal Officers. It closed on 31 December 1944 when operations were transferred to the No. 2 Wireless School at Calgary, Alberta. The Royal Canadian Air Force continued used the site for other purposes until 6 March 1945.
From 1946 to 1965, the building housed the Manitoba Normal School, a teacher training facility. During that period, five H-huts and a two-storey building on the grounds of the Wireless School were given for a two-year period to the City of Winnipeg for use as emergency housing for around 100 families. School facilities were made available for 45 children in grades 1-6, with those of higher age attending facilities elsewhere in the Winnipeg School Division. The school, which went by several names including Normal School Annex, Tuxedo Normal School, and Tuxedo Model School, closed in the summer of 1953.
The facility returned to its original purpose, functioning as a residence and school for Deaf students from 1966 to 1996. It was used briefly during the 1999 Pan American Games before becoming part of Canadian Mennonite University. A plaque, dedicated in June 1996, is mounted near the east entrance of the school building at 500 Shaftsbury Boulevard.
Period
Superintendent / Principal
1920-1940, 1966-1996
Period
Teachers
1920-1940, 1966-1996
Period
Commanding Officer
1941
Squadron Leader M. M. Hendrick (Acting)
1941-1942
Group Captain H. B. Godwin
1942
Benjamin Nelson Harrop (1894-1986)
1942-1943
Wing Commander T. R. Michelson
1943-1944
Group Captain Alan Walmsley
1944
Group Captain R. M. Smith
Period
Teachers
1946-1947
Kathleen Rosamond O’Neill Corrigan (grades 3-4), Bertha Denrickson (grades 5-6), Mary Ellen Doyle (grades 3-5), Alice Margaret Mellor (grades 1-3), Jessie Rae George Tooke (Principal & grade 1-2)
1947-1948
Kathleen Rosamond O’Neill Corrigan (grades 3-4), Reta Ellen Matheson (grades 5-6), Jessie Rae George Tooke (Principal & grade 1)
1948-1949
Frances Grace Lowe (grades 3-4), Reta Ellen Matheson (grades 4-5), Jessie Rae George Tooke (Principal & grades 1-2)
1949-1950
Frances Grace Lowe (grades 2-4), Reta Ellen Matheson (grades 4-5), Jessie Rae George Tooke (Principal & grade 1)
1950-1951
Mrs. Anne Margaret Grant (kindergarten), Frances Grace Lowe (grades 2-4), Reta Ellen Matheson (grades 4-5), Jessie Rae George Tooke (Principal & grades 1-2)
1951-1952
Mrs. Anne Margaret Grant (kindergarten), Frances Grace Lowe (grades 3-4), Reta Ellen Matheson (grades 4-5), Jessie Rae George Tooke (Principal & grades 1-2)
1952-1953
Mrs. Anne Margaret Grant (kindergarten), Frances Grace Lowe (grades 3-4), Jessie Rae George Tooke (Principal & grades 1-2)
Period
Principal
Before 1946
1946-1951
Duncan Bruce Moorhead (1889-1951)
1951-1957
Robert William Lightly (1909-1985)
1957-1965
George Walton F. Brisbin (1906-1990)
Period
Assistant Principal
Before 1946
1946-1947
Harold Elwin Riter (1892-1967)
1947-1948
?
1948-1949
James Melville Brown (1913-1996)
1949-1951
Robert William Lightly (1909-1985)
1951-1952
?
1952-1965
Jon Kristinn Laxdal (1900-1971)
Period
Teachers
1946-1947
Short Course: O. A. Armstrong, Ruby Arndt, M. R. Arnott, Isabelle Auld, Bernice Scott Bateman, Marion Bell, J. A. Cameron, John Walter Clarke, Hugh Connolly, Doreen Davidson, Florence Deacon, Kay Dowad, R. L. Evans, M. Ferguson, R. Gulbrandson, M. Karasesievich, Anne Keith, N. G. Kelly, M. Kornelsen, William Stanley “Bill” Lockhart, A. A. MacDonald, Duncan Bruce Moorhead, Margaret Nugent, F. J. Pollock, Ernest Harvey Reid, D. H. Richardson, Miss Mary Ring, Mildred Smith, Ruby L. Spen??etay, Gordon Tully, W. Wallace, Bernhard W. “Bernard” Warkentin, John Wittenbey
1947-1948
Eleanor Boyce, John Walter Clarke, Miss Douglas, Miss Fraser, Miss Harris, Jon Kristinn Laxdal, Mrs. Martin, Duncan Bruce Moorhead, Miss Norton, Bertha Agnes Pilling, Ernest Harvey Reid, Miss Mary Ring, Miss Thompson, Mr. Turner
1948-1949
1949-1950
Miss D. Baker, George W. Chidley (math II), Mr. J. Clarke (class management), Martha Elizabeth Douglas (music), Miss M. Fraser (librarian), Albert L. Herron (science), Jon K. Laxdal (math), Robert W. Lightly, Miss S. Nalevykin (physical education), Miss M. Norton (English I), Bertha Agnes Pilling (art), Miss M. Ring (health), Miss W. Smith (English III), Mr. H. Turner
1950-1951
?
1951-1952
?
1952-1953
?
1953-1954
?
1954-1955
1955-1956
Miss O. A. Armstrong (science), George William Chidley (math), Arthur H. Corriveau (French), Martha Elizabeth “Beth” Douglas (music), Miss M. J. Fraser (librarian, children's literature), Mary Aileen Garland (social studies), Miss J. Grusz (physical education), Mr. H. V. Larusson (English), Albert Lee Herron (science), Miss M. McDole (English), Miss E. M. McLeish (art), Mr. J. G. Nick (physical education), Miss M. Norton (English), William Gladstone Oliver (math), Miss M. E. Ring (health education), Miss W. H. Smith (English), Peter Renwick Stewart (classroom management), Mr. F. E. Tinkler (social studies), Mr. D. H. Turner (speech and drama), Mrs. M. E. Turner (primary methods), Mrs. E. V. Wharton (child development)
1956-1957
1957-1958
1958-1959
Miss O. A. Armstrong (nature study), George William Chidley (math), Arthur H. Corriveau (French), Miss M. J. Fraser (librarian), Mary Aileen Garland (social studies), Albert Lee Herron (science), H. V. Larusson (English), R. W. McAmmond (child development), Miss M. McDole (remedial English), Miss E. M. McLeish (art), J. G. Nick (physical education), Mrs. N. Nemy (physical education), Miss M. Norton (English), William Gladstone Oliver (remedial math), C. S. Simonson (social studies), Miss W. H. Smith (remedial English), Peter Renwick Stewart (classroom management), Mrs. M. E. Turner (primary methods), Colin Sinclair Walley (music), Miss H. Wilson (health education)
1959-1960
1960-1961
Miss O. A. Armstrong (science), M. A. Bonneau (mathematics, French), George William Chidley (mathematics), Miss M. J. Fraser (librarian), Mary Aileen Garland (social studies), Albert Lee Herron (science), H. V. Larusson (English), Richard Wesley McAmmond (child development), Miss M. McDale (English usage), Miss E. M. McLeish (art education), J. G. Nick (physical education), Miss M. Norton (English), Miss M. J. Ryan (physical education), Miss W. H. Smith (English usage), P. Stewart (classroom management), D. H. Turner (speech), Mrs. M. E. Turner (primary methods), Colin Sinclair Walley (music), Miss H. Wilson (health education)
1961-1962
1962-1963
1963-1964
1964-1965
Manitoba School for the Deaf (1922)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Schools - Manitoba School for the Deaf #1
Manitoba School for the Deaf (1922)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, Winnipeg - Schools - Manitoba School for the Deaf #2
Manitoba School for the Deaf - Dining Hall (c1930)
Source: The Manitoba Echo, March 1931, page 2.
Manitoba School for the Deaf - West Wing (c1930)
Source: The Manitoba Echo, March 1931, page 2.
Manitoba School for the Deaf (July 1933)
Source: Archives of Manitoba, George Harris Fonds, Acc. 1979-141, P7447, Album 4, Page 8.
Aerial view of the No. 3 Wireless School during the Second World War (no date)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2015-0078
The former Manitoba School for the Deaf, now the Canadian Mennonite University (September 2018)
Plaque Location (lat/long): 49.87002, W97.26197
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.85980, W97.23133
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Personal Memoirs: Memories of Winnipeg Schools in the 1930s and 1940s by Margaret Russell
Personal Memoirs: Memories of the Provincial Normal School (1950-1951) by Duane Duff
Memorable Manitobans: Gerard Alphonsus “Gerry” Baert (1906-1971)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Central Normal School (442 William Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Evergreen Project / 1999 Pan American Games (Shaftesbury Boulevard, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba Agricultural College (Tuxedo Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Provincially Designated Historic Sites
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Deaf and Dumb Institute / Manitoba School for the Deaf (Portage Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Manitoba School for the Deaf / Manitoba Vocational Centre / Prince Charles School / Prince Charles Education Resource Centre (1075 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Alexander Ross School / Manitoba School for the Deaf (242 Stradford Street, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 1 Air Navigation School (Wheatland, Municipality of Riverdale)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 1 Air Navigation School Monument (Municipality of Riverdale)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 5 Air Observers School (Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 3 Bombing and Gunnery School (Macdonald, RM of Portage la Prairie)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 7 Bombing and Gunnery School (Paulson, RM of Dauphin)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 14 Elementary Flying Training School / No. 7 Air Observers School / Southport Aerospace Centre (Southport, RM of Portage la Prairie)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 19 Elementary Flying Training School (RM of Wallace-Woodworth)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 26 Elementary Flying Training School (Municipality of North Cypress-Langford)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 26 Elementary Flying Training School, Eden Relief Field / Eden Airport (RM of Rosedale)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 10 Service Flying Training School / Barker Airport (RM of Dauphin)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 10 Service Flying Training School, North Junction Relief Field (RM of Dauphin)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Valley River Relief Field (RM of Dauphin)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 12 Service Flying Training School / Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (Brandon)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 12 Service Flying Training School, Chater Relief Field / Chater Aerodrome (RM of Elton)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 12 Service Flying Training School, Douglas Relief Field (Municipality of North Cypress-Langford)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 17 Service Flying Training School (Municipality of Souris-Glenwood)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 17 Service Flying Training School, Hartney Relief Field / Hartney Aerodrome (Municipality of Grassland)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 18 Service Flying Training School / No. 2 Flying Training School / Canadian Forces Base Gimli / Gimli Industrial Park Airport (Municipality of Gimli)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 18 Service Flying Training School, Netley Relief Field / Netley Field (RM of St. Andrews)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 33 Service Flying Training School (Municipality of North Cypress-Langford)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 33 Service Flying Training School, Oberon Relief Field / Oberon Aerodrome (Municipality of North Cypress-Langford)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 33 Service Flying Training School, Petrel Relief Field / Petrel Aerodrome (Municipality of North Cypress-Langford)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 3 Wireless School (500 Shaftesbury Boulevard, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Brandon Winter Fair Building / Brandon Arena / No. 2 Manning Depot (Eleventh Street, Brandon)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 5 Release Centre / Jameswood Place South (Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 8 Repair Depot / Jameswood Place (Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: No. 2 Equipment Depot / No. 7 Equipment Depot / Carpiquet Barracks (Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: First Flight Monument (Memorial Park, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Cardale Air Crash Monument (RM of Oakview)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Tuxedo School No. 1709 (Linden Woods, Winnipeg)
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Tuxedo Park School (2300 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg)
“Charleswood,” Winnipeg Tribune, 25 September 1922, page 5.
“Children happy in world of vast silence,” Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 3 March 1923, page 11.
“Principal explains how Deaf children overcome handicaps,” Winnipeg Tribune, 19 April 1939, page 7.
“Manitoba School for Deaf observes 50th anniversary,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 April 1939, page 4.
“School for Deaf over to military,” Winnipeg Tribune, 30 August 1940, page 13.
“Wing Commander H. B. Godwin takes over signals post here,” Winnipeg Free Press, 15 January 1941, page 8.
“Two big Air Schools to be opened Monday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 11 February 1941, page 11.
“Anzac Day parade set for Friday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 23 April 1941, page 16.
“Record class of Empire airmen graduate from Tuxedo School,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 July 1941, page 8.
“Group Captain H. B. Godwin to take Ottawa position,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 July 1942, page 4.
“Wing Commander rank is given Michelson,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 October 1942, page 6.
“Change of command at Wireless School,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 September 1943, page 4.
“Grievances aired at No. 3 Wireless,” Winnipeg Free Press, 9 February 1944, page 1.
“Air Force honors,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 June 1945, page 2.
“No. 3 Wireless School to close at end of year,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 December 1944, page 19.
“Notice to creditors [due to the disbandment of No. 3 Wireless School],” Winnipeg Free Press, 13 January 1945, page 16.
“Transcona asks reopening of School for Deaf,” Winnipeg Tribune, 11 September 1945, page 9.
“Next Normal School classes to start at Tuxedo Sept. 9,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 April 1946, page 21.
“City grants use of Tuxedo School,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 August 1946, page 2.
“More teachers training now,” Winnipeg Tribune, 11 September 1946, page 13.
“To join or not to join talks,” Winnipeg Free Press, 17 August 1949, page 7.
“Eight get new education posts,” Winnipeg Tribune, 25 July 1949, page 13.
“Model School mothers hold graduation party for students,” Winnipeg Free Press, 13 June 1950, page 13.
Normal Lights - 1950 Manitoba Normal School.
“Model School shows work to parents,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 May 1951, page 3.
“R. W. Lightly named Principal of Normal School,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 October 1951, page 23.
“Model Principal honored by staff,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 May 1953, page 11.
Manitoba School for the Deaf, Manitoba Historic Resources Branch.
Manitoba School for the Deaf students attendance registers (E 0839), Daily Registers, GR4117, Archives of Manitoba.
School division half-yearly attendance reports (E 0757), Archives of Manitoba.
Monthly periodicals, The Echo / The Manitoba Echo. [Manitoba Legislative Library]
Obituary [Bertha Agnes Pilling], Winnipeg Free Press, 23 January 1965.
Information for this page was provided by The City of Winnipeg’s Planning, Property and Development Department, which acknowledges the contribution of the Government of Manitoba through its Heritage Grants Program.
We thank Ed Arndt and George Stewart for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough and Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 15 December 2023
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