History
1966 to 1974 - In the Beginning
From 1966 to 1974, Everdale Place operated as Canada's first free school (on the model of A.S. Neil's Summerhill). Many people, including future politicians, lawyers, business people and farmers, attended the school. It is remembered fondly by a generation of people and their families who started looking for alternative, more egalitarian and ecological approaches to learning and living in the 1960s and 70s.
Thereafter, Everdale's educational charter and non-profit status remained intact, a duly constituted board continued to meet, and several ventures were attempted. Unfortunately, none succeeded and the property fell into disrepair.
1997 - Working the Soil
We obtained organic certification for the farm in 1997 and gradually expanded the cultivated acreage from two acres in our first year to 15 acres presently.
1998 - Regeneration
In the spring of 1998, Gavin Dandy, Karen Campbell, Lynn Bishop and Wally Seccombe came together to revive Everdale Place. They created the Everdale Environmental Learning Centre. Building upon the best of its educational legacy, they were able to draw upon the resources of a broad circle of friends and supporters. They prepared a Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives, obtained the board's support and got down to work.
In our first years of operation, we had done a great deal with a lot of hard work and very limited funds, much that was donated gratis by the four originating members of the Learning Centre. Now we are grateful for the support of numerous foundations and government grants. Every year, we've made substantial progress in realizing the objectives set out in our Statement of Goals and Objectives.
2000 to Present - Things Take Root
In 2000 we completed a major reorganization, incorporating ourselves as the Everdale Environmental Learning Centre and forming a board of directors with commitment and expertise in the field of environmental education. We then entered into a long-term contract with the Everdale Place Corporation, the property's owner, providing the Learning Centre with security of tenure for as long as we continue to make progress in fulfilling our mission. It has put us on solid ground.
When we began our work, the buildings on-site were in serious disrepair. We've made a major effort to arrest their deterioration and make them more energy-efficient. We have already installed two solar hot water systems (at a public workshop held in June 2000), built two straw bale cabins (2001, 2002) as our first examples of renewable energy technology and now Home Alive!, a sustainable model home built in 2003/2004.
We have created a Community Centre where groups can meet, prepare food and eat, and eventually, sleep in a dorm facility. Each year, the infrastructure becomes more solid and more people attend our various educational programs.
Today and Tomorrow
In 1999, we held 13 events at Everdale Place with a total of 700 participants. In 2000, we held 34 events with a total of 1110 participants. We now host over 100 workshops or events and have over 10,000 visitors a year.
Everdale is now firmly established as a leading proponent of sustainability in ontario and Canada. We are building on our successes and reaching a wide range of people who are interested in learning how to live with the environment. Everdale has become an important resource-centre for practical education in sustainable living.