The corner stone of the Wesleyan College was laid on Monday afternoon, the weather being quite as favorable as could be expected at this season of the year. The exercises were opened with singing, the reading of a few appropriate passages of scripture, and prayer by Rev. Wm. Hansford. Mr. Hansford then made a few congratulatory remarks upon the hopeful prospects of the institution,  and read a list of documents and papers to be deposited beneath the stone, including copies of several Canadian and English newspapers, three copies of the Journal with articles relating to the institution. Everything then being in readiness, Stephen Foster, Esq., presented Dr. Punchon with a suitable implement in the form of a Silver Trowel which had been donated by Charles Pierce of Boston; The Reverend gentleman proceeded to lay the stone in the name of the Holy Trinity. Mr. Punchon then addressed the assemblage for a few moments on the importance of the work in hand in its influences upon the future of these Townships, and congratulating the projectors of the institution upon the liberality and spirit with which they have taken hold of the work. The best safeguards of a nation were not its fortresses bristling with cannon, or its coasts kissed by an ocean, but its cultured and Christian patriotic men, whose influence was greater than armies or navies. - While the present generation would not derive the benefit anticipated from an institution of this character, they were building stronger than they know for the future generations, - for those who are to take our places in the future. He concluded by wishing the work God-speed, and trusted that the completion of the building would be attended with joyful acclamations and that no serious accident would attend its erection.

1882 -S.W.C. Convocation

The Convocation of Stanstead Wesleyan College in June 1882 closed the school’s most successful year. The attendance has been larger than ever before, showing an increase of 60% over that of last year. The total number of students enrolled is 195 and the average attendance has been 130.

1890 -First Football Club Organized

Students have organized a football association under the name of the Independent FootBall Association. The first game was on October 16, 1890 between the Commercial students and the rest of the school - 2-1 for the Commercials.

1893 -The College “Heart” of those days (1893) resembled very little the beautiful plot of grass and flowers which has since become so dear to Stanstead students. At that time, it was a mess of overgrown weeds and grass. It was the good taste and enthusiastic hard work of Rev. C.R. Flanders who wrought the marvelous change in this uninviting picture. He planted every tree and planned every path. * In celebration of the College’s centennial trees, each representing ? years were planted by....

1899 -Feb. 9, 1899 - The College is now brilliantly illuminated with electricity and all the residents are rejoicing in the new light. Upwards of 175 lamps have been installed and it looks as if the time had come for some adolescent poet to tune his harp and sing to the “passing” of the kerosene lamp. The introduction of the electric light into the College is due to the generosity of the trustees and friends, stimulated by the interest and efficient efforts of the Hon. C.C.Colby, who practically took the matter in hand and carried it through.

1903 -Holmes Model School Built

The Horace Holmes Memorial School, was begun in the summer of 1902, the site being a very beautiful one south of the Pierce Hall on land presented by the Rev. A. Lee Holmes. The opening of the new H. D. Holmes School on Friday, January 16th, 1903 marks the beginning of a new era in the public school work of this community. The donors of the new school are the Rev. A. Lee Holmes, Mr. Charles Holmes and Mrs. Denio.

1905

Mrs. Mary Holmes and Miss Elizabeth F. Pierce donated their homestead “Sunnyside” as a home for young ladies of the College.

1914-1918

Practically every boy of military age at Stanstead College and some who were not volunteered their services, 32 of whom gave their lives. The Roll of Honour “Killed in Action” - Stanley Aldrich, Philippe Bieler, Arthur Bishop, Carl Brown, Edgar Christie, Albert Carter, Stanley Cooper, Wesley Dorman, Edward Dyer, Royce Dyer, Clarence Elliot, Sidney Ellis, Charles Flowerday, John Harper, Milton Haselton, Robert Haselton, Earl Ingalls, Melville Kearns, Henry Lockhart, Wayland McRitchie, Forrest Mitchell, Guy Montle, Charles Mooney, Wallace McCullough, Leslie Parker, Jerry Pettes, Norman Planche, Percy Ross, Arthur Roy, Charles Smith, Theodore Smith, T.E. Sunbury.

1922 -Sir Arthur Currie speaker at Jubilee Commencement

The Jubilee Commencement began on Friday evening, June 8 with the annual reception for students and friends which was attended by over 300 . A gracious welcome from the faculty, music from the College orchestra and delicious refreshments were the ingredients for a very social reunion.

A banquet was held on Monday evening when some 400 friends of the College assembled in a large tent pitched just east of the main building, where the evergreen trees furnished a pleasing setting for this outdoor enclosure. General Sir Arthur Currie, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., L.L.D., vice-chancellor and principal of McGill University was the guest of honour. In his speech, Sir Arthur emphasized the value of the heritage of the past, asking his hearers to consider the mountains of thought, ideals, standards and traditions handed down by their ancestors, truthfully claiming that mankind would be poor and helpless without them. He concluded by a king for a silent toast in memory of students wh had made the supreme sacrifice in the great war. The audience rose and the notes of a bugle sounded the Last Post.

1931

Rev. E.C. Amaron became principal and remained for 23 years, the longest term to date of any principal/headmaster.

1938 -College Main Building Destroyed by Fire

The main building of Stanstead Wesleyan College, a five story granite and brick-cased structure erected in 1872-3 and for 28 years the only building of consequence on the College campus, fell prey to fire Saturday afternoon (May 28th), and with it went most of the furnishings, including books, records and valuable furnishings, many of which had been brought over from “Sunnyside” after that stately structure had been received as a gift from the Pierce and Holmes families. In the main building were three academy classrooms, three parlors and office, on the main floor, teachers’ quarters, boys’ rooms, girls’ rooms and gymnasium above, with the kitchen, dining, recreation and store rooms in the basement.

1939 -Colby Building Time Capsule laid November 11, 1939

Dr. C.W. Colby’s address, Dr. Amaron’s report on Campaign of Funds, List of Platform Guests, Copy of the 1939 Annual, The College Prospectus, 1939-40, A campaign pamphlet, a Cornerstone Ceremony invitation card, copies of the Stanstead Journal, Montreal Star and Montreal Gazette, World War I Honour Roll, collection of coins and stamps, one poppy and a newspaper clipping describing the fire which destroyed the old building.

KILLED IN ACTION 1939-1945

Gordon Aitken, Norman Ball, Doanld Bennett, Donald Bidwell, David Bindman, Rene Brandt, Edward Cadham, Wendell Curtis, Lloyd Farrow, Andrew Gosselin, Donald Jack, Kelso Johnston, Ronald Killick, Russell Langley, Lorne MacDonald, Gerald MacKay, Leslie McCaig, D.F.C., Douglas McIntosh, Clarence Mark, Terry Modeland, David Morton, Charles Neveu, Frank (Bill) Peat, William Pope, Svend Rasmussen, Jack St. Denis, Peter Savage, Howard Seifert, Donald Smardon, John (Sandy) Smith, Elwyn Thomas, Alec Trueman, Maxwell Varney, John Wells, David Woodley

November 11, 1939

"I call a complete and generous education that which fits a man to perform justly, skillfully and magnanimously, all the offices, both private and public,of peace and war. Allwill remember what a splendid record Stanstead College had in the World War...The need for moral and spirtual preparedness is even greater now than it was then, for never before in the life of the Western world has the individual conscience, the spirit of the free citizen, the self-respect whichabhors Ogpu and Gestapo, beenput to the test it is now, and as it will continue to be until ruthless ambition in league with diabolical method have been finally curbed...The crises of danger, the antagonisms of a period when basicideals and age-old institutions are being challenged demand that strength and stiffness of character from men and women alike which can be developed best and most surely in the atmosphere of a good school."

1946 -Alumni Association Donates Memorial Gates

On The Memorial Gates were erected in memory of students and teachers who died in the two World Wars.

1948 -75th Anniversary Celebrations

Read about the history of the Farm House.

1958 -Davis Hall officially opened on October 11, 1958

In an impressive ceremony on Saturday afternoon, October 11th, 1958, Davis House, the new residential building at Stanstead College was officially opened when Henry Davis of Miles Pond, Vermont, clipped the satin ribbon and the Rev. Al McK ros, Minister of Centenary United Church, said a prayer of dedication. Due to rain, it was necessary to hold the ceremony in the new constructed Pierce Hall which was filled to capacity with students, former students, parents and friends.

Bugbee Residence was also opened in 1958

1959 -Stanstead College - Boys Only

In 1958, the Board of Trustees made a decision which, for a time, fundamentally changed the nature of the school. Starting with the class entering in September of 1959, under Headmaster Walter Molson, the school became a boys’ boarding school. (This decision was reversed in 1979 and the school returned to its original co-educational status.

1965 -Amaron Gymnasium Officially Opens in May

Dr. and Mrs. Errol C. Amaron cut the ribbon for the official opening. Headmaster Cayley feels the new gymnasium is a sign of progress; it lived because of the past and was named after the Amarons who had contributed so much to the College’s history.

1968 -Mrs. LeBaron cuts Ribbon to open new LeBaron Hall

In a glowing tribute to the late Gordon LeBaron on Saturday, November 2, 1968, the new LeBaron Hall was dedicated at Stanstead College, making another milestone in the progress of the school. More than 200 people gathered in the dining hall of the new building to hear Mrs. Gordon LeBaron declare the building officially open and to voice words of appreciation for the honor conferred on her late husband, who was Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1952 – 1961.

1973 -Centennial Year

Gala evening in Montreal, Concert at the Haskell Opera House, Ralph B. Hood Swimming Pool Opens, Right Honourable Roland C. Michener, Governor General of Canada - Guest of Honour at Baccalaureate and Prizegiving.

1977 -Board Preserves Control over College’s Standards and Policies

Stanstead College reached a significant crossroad brought about by the restrictive enrolment clauses of Bill 101, which limited the available government grants under the Quebec Private Education Act. In order to preserve the freedom to maintain independent control over Stanstead’s educational standards, enrolment policies and future existence, the Board of Trustees took a courageous stand by deciding to no longer accept grants under any those circumstances.

1980 -K.H. Barry Gallant Becomes Headmaster

1990 - Twenty First Century Capital Campaign

Under the chairmanship of John H.E. Colby, Q.C., this ambitious fund-raising effort was the most successful in the history of Stanstead College and raised over three million dollars which resulted in construction of Webster House (girls dormitory), improved academic facilities, enlarged library and updated computer facilities.

1991 -Webster House

"Stanstead Hilton"

1997 -"Celebrating our 125th Anniversary"

"The Importance of Being Earnest, Governor General and Mrs. Romeo LeBlanc at Baccalaureate..."

2001 - Stanstead College Rec Hall Burns after a century of history

Tragically, the Recreation Hall which was built in 1905, was destroyed by a fire on the evening of Saturday, March 3, 2001. There were no injuries but the building was damaged beyond repair. The fire began around 9:30pm and the few students in the Tuck Shop at the time evacuated immediately and safely. College officials called the emergency number which brought police and firefighters on the scene within minutes.

Hundreds gathered in front of the building which features three stunning arches similar to the ones in front of Colby House. This is a visual display of integrating respect for the heritage of Stanstead College.

Mr. Colby officially opend the spectacular building by cutting a symbolic red ribbon. It was particularly fitting the Mr. Colby cut the ribbon as his uncle, Charles Colby, officially opened Colby House in 1939. Mr. John Colby was also Chairman of the 21st Century Capital Campaign which raised over 3 million dollars for the building of Webster House and for vast improvements in academic facilities.

2004 - Stanstead introduces its Engaged Learning Platform (ELP), which uses state-of-the-art, campus-wide wireless technology combined with individual student laptop computers to integrate information technology throughout the academic curriculum.