Summary information
| Repository: | South Peace Regional Archives |
| Title: | Margaret Henderson fonds |
| Reference code: | 0396 |
| Date: | 1920-1957 (date of creation) |
| Physical description: | 6 photographs |
| Language: | English |
| Dates of creation, revision and deletion: | Processed May 2010 Added to new database Dec. 2022 – TD |
Administrative history / Biographical sketch
Miss Jessie Margaret Henderson was born in Charlottetown, P.E.I, in 1879. She moved to Alberta in 1905 and taught school in a number of centers including Canmore, Innisfail and Tofield before coming to the Spirit River district in in September, 1918 to teach in an old log building on the old townsite. During the flu epidemic the school was closed and Margaret spent time helping families whose members were victims of the disease. The school reopened on the new site of Spirit River and Margaret reigned there until the building burned and a new school was built. She was known to be strict in school but always kind and didn’t play favorites. She taught uninterrupted until 1947 when she retired. In 1951, a new wing of the school was named in her honor. Miss Henderson was very active in community projects and recognized as the dance pianist, church pianist, and festival accompanist. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church until the formation of the United Church when she joined that congregation. When asked why she chose to remain in Spirit River so long, she replied that she couldn’t find an excuse to leave. She died, age 77, in January 1957 in the Spirit River Holy Cross Hospital. Her only known relative, a sister, Marian, attended her funeral and a memorial fund was established to purchase books for the school library.
Custodial History
The records were preserved by Jessie Lillico and donated to the archives by Bonnie Flintoff in 2009.
Scope and content
The fonds consists of 6 photographs.
Notes
Title notes
- Source of title proper: Title of fonds based on contents.
Access points
- Graphic material – photograph (documentary form)
- Education (subject)
Series descriptions
| Reference code | Title | Dates | Physical description |
| 0396.01 | Item – Miss Margaret Henderson | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 4 in. |
| Scope and content:
Miss Margaret Henderson, teacher in Spirit River, for 26 years, standing in front of her home. |
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| 0396.02 | Item – Miss Margaret Henderson & Friend | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 6 in. |
| Scope and content:
Miss Margaret Henderson, teacher in Spirit River, for 26 years, standing in front of her home with a friend. |
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| 0396.03 | Item – Miss Margaret Henderson’s House | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 4 in. |
| Scope and content:
Miss Margaret Henderson’s House |
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| 0396.04 | Item – Dedication of Henderson Wing of the School Art Craft Studio, Grande Prairie |
1951 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Dedication of the Henderson wing of the Spirit River School. A bronze plaque reads: “ 1950- Dedicated in Honor of Margaret Henderson – For her many years of loyal service as a school teacher, 1919-1947.” Jack Fildes, chairman of the old Spirit River School Board, on the far right, performed the unveiling. Mrs. Olive Boorman stands third from the left. |
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| 0396.05 | Item – Mr. J.M. Fildes Unveiling Dedication Plaque Art Craft Studio, Grande Prairie |
1951 | 1 photograph : b&w ; 4 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Dedication of the Henderson wing of the Spirit River School. A bronze plaque reads: “ 1950- Dedicated in Honor of Margaret Henderson – For her many years of loyal service as a school teacher, 1919-1947.” J. Fildes, chairman of the old Spirit River School Board, performed the unveiling. |
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| 0396.06 | Item – Miss Margaret Henderson’s House | n.d. | 1 photograph : b&w ; 3 x 5 in. |
| Scope and content:
Miss Margaret Henderson’s House in winter. |
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