The consolidation of schools on Prince Edward Island in the 1960s and early 1970s resulted in the closure and amalgamation of more than 200 small community schools. North Bedeque School, built in 1896, was one of those schools, losing its students to Summerside, some six kilometres away.
While a number of those schools were repurposed as community halls, transformed into private residences or converted for commercial purposes, many more were simply lost to time.
Fortunately, North Bedeque School – and its nearby school hall – has been spared this fate. In 2019, Crystal Stevens purchased the North Bedeque School and school hall property. Over the past two and a half years she has improved the property and revitalized both buildings.
Crystal continues to work on restoring the school hall, which has a deep history in the community. The Hall was the location of countless school Christmas concerts, community events and meetings, and in January 2021 was recognized by the province as a heritage space.
Both buildings also have a history with education and crafts. They were home to the Village Craft House where artisans crafted over 27 different products, including quilts and Anne dolls, and shipped all over the world.
The original school is now the home of the PEI Fox Den, where visitors can see and purchase the works of over 50 local artists and artisans. The school hall is being equipped to host community events, concerts and other performances, boasting one of the oldest original stages on the island, dating back to 1896.