Historic Sites of Manitoba: Barker School / Sommerfeld School No. 2058 (RM of Rhineland)

Known originally as Barker School when it was organized formally in February 1921, in the village of Sommerfeld in the Rural Municipality of Rhineland, it was later renamed Sommerfeld School. Until 1940, when a new structure was constructed, the school occupied a private school building that had operated in the community. In 1961, another school building was moved to the site from Lowe Farm for use as a second classroom. The district was dissolved in 1971 but one of the building continued to be used for elementary classes for another five years. The second building was sold and moved out of the village. The remaining building was sold to the community in 1977 and used as a community centre. It now appears to be unused.

The original Sommerfeld School building (no date) by G. G. Neufeld Source: Archives of Manitoba, School Inspectors Photographs, GR8461, A0233, C131-3, page 86. The former Sommerfeld School building, constructed in 1940 (circa 1986) Source: Historic Resources Branch, Public School Buildings Inventory, slide 1093. Exterior of the former Sommerfeld School building (February 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Interior of the former Sommerfeld School building (February 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Site Location (lat/long): N49.07130, W97.44832 denoted by symbol on the map above

Sources:

One Hundred Years in the History of the Rural Schools of Manitoba: Their Formation, Reorganization and Dissolution (1871-1971) by Mary B. Perfect, MEd thesis, University of Manitoba, April 1978.

A Study of Public School Buildings in Manitoba by David Butterfield, Historic Resources Branch, Manitoba Department of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, 1994, 230 pages.

We thank Al Schmidt (Altona and District Heritage Research Centre) for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 1 January 2015

Historic Sites of Manitoba This is a collection of historic sites in Manitoba compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. SEARCH the collection Browse lists of: Museums/Archives | Buildings | Monuments | Cemeteries | Locations | Other Please note that inclusion in this collection does not mean that a particular site has special status or protection. Some sites are on private property and permission must be secured from the owner prior to visiting. Site information is provided by the Manitoba Historical Society as a free public service only for non-commercial purposes. Search Tips | Suggest a Site | FAQ | Acknowledgements Send inquiries to the MHS Webmaster.