***4/20/2017 – a new story has been added by Susann Wolbers!***
Alma College Lives in our Memories…
Alma College was a private girls’ boarding school built in 1878. This landmark Gothic Revival style building was located at 96 Moore St. in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. It opened in 1881 as a liberal arts college for young women, offering courses in literature, arts, business and music.
The school ceased operations in 1988, and closed formally in 1994. Unfortunately, the main building was destroyed by a fire on May 28, 2008.
This online community was created to preserve something of this important place.
Alumnae who attended the college have told their memorable stories about living and studying at school, in hopes that you will read and enjoy them here.
In this way, Alma will live on…
The Alma College Memory Project 
This is awesome Steve. When I drove cab back in the 80’s I would drive some of the girls to their homes in Komoka and to London. This was a beautiful school. Thank you for doing this site. 🙂
LikeLike
When I went to Alma for grade twelve in 1968 I lived in what was called “The New Residence” . Al leak developed in the ceiling betweeen my bed and my roommate Vickie Gibbard’s bed.. We commandeered one of the large plastic garbage pails from the hallway and placed it in the middle of the room so that it would catch the drips. It must have been a particularly rainy season because we kept the pail there for some time – it was almost half full as I recall. Well the principle at the time, Dr Flora Sifton got word of this and came over outfitted in a plastic rain hat, a black Persian coat and those old fashioned rubber boots that are formed to fit over top sensible heels. She grabbed one of the desk chairs and proceeded to stand on it and lift the ceiling panel that seemed to be the source of the leak . Well, a torrential deluge of water hit her head as if someone had just thrown a large bucket of water at her. As fond of Dr Sifton as I was and as much as I respected her, it was quite difficult to stifle the uproarious laughter that was welling up inside of meat the sight of this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Karen,(Katie) love this recollection. Now that I’m 70 would love to do it all over again. Victoria Gibbard Boucher grades 20 & 11 1967-69 Whitby Ont. formerly Mississauga Ont
LikeLike
i have a couple of pictures for you.where would i send them. thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found a sheet of paper about the activities in a commencement and I took it to the Archives. Also had a post card with a picture of young ladied sitting in white dresses in a sunken structure for some official something. Will try and find and post.
]
LikeLike
Probably graduation in the amphitheatre
LikeLike
I learned how to swim in their pool, I remember my Mom walking me over there on cold snowy nights for my lessons, broke my heart to see it on fire, what a lost to our city.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Periwinkle in the outdoor theatre.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was a student there from 1983-1987 its was the most memorable times. It was not just a school ,it was our home. Yes there were ghosts but they did not mean to harm us in any way. RB
LikeLike
I was a student around 82-85. I can barely think about the fire…lost history…so sad.
LikeLike
Pearl Ortt Russell, went to Alma College. We donated the full set of handpainted luncheon china she created and other Alma College artifacts to Elgin County Heritage Centre.
LikeLike
My mother Audrey Watterworth went to Alma in the 1940s. She recently passed and our family would love to donate to any alumnae or anyone else that may be interested an Alma College numbered print done by Jonathon Hayes. Please reply and we can make arrangements to drop it off.
LikeLike