Almonte District High School Celebrates 150 Years of Learning, Legacy and Community

Press Release – Upper Canada District School Board  

Almonte District High School (ADHS) is marking a major milestone this fall—celebrating 150 years of education and community connections.

On Saturday, October 11, the school is inviting alumni, former staff, families, and community members to celebrate the 150th anniversary through a variety of events that are planned throughout the day, including a four-player scramble golf tournament at Pakenham Golf Club and the return of the “Turkey Bowl” touch football game – a long standing ADHS tradition.

In the afternoon, ADHS will host an open house from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. with food, refreshments, live entertainment by former and current students and opportunities for visitors to reconnect and reminisce.

The North Lanark Regional Museum will also have a display of items related to the school that have been donated by community members throughout the years. A multimedia slideshow will showcase highlights from ADHS’s rich history, offering a walk down memory lane through photos, artifacts, and stories spanning a century and a half.

To help mark the milestone, current students are adding their own chapter to ADHS history. The Construction Tech class designed and built a time capsule to commemorate the anniversary.

“We made a treasure chest out of pine and are going to put a plaque on the top of it for the 150th anniversary,” said Grade 12 student Craig Villeneuve. “It was a healthy competition in shop class – we went through a lot of ideas and chose a time capsule.”

“The box will be carrying something important from different classes around the school,” added Alyssa Lalonde, also in Grade 12. “Both my parents, all my aunts and uncles and my grandfather went to this school so it’s important [to me] to celebrate the history.”

Founded in 1875 on the corner of Martin and Stephen Streets in Almonte—now part of Mississippi Mills—ADHS has grown from a small stone schoolhouse into a modern facility. Over the years, the school has seen several expansions, including the addition of a new gymnasium and multi-purpose room in 1998. Today, more than 600 students attend ADHS, continuing its long tradition of learning and community connection.

One of ADHS’s most famous alumni is Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, who graduated in 1883. His legacy remains a point of pride for the school and broader community.

“Celebrating our school's 150th anniversary is more than marking a date—it's about honoring a rich legacy that continues to shape our future,” said ADHS Principal Brenda Swrjeski. “Many of our current students walk the same halls and wear orange and black just as their parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents did. It really creates a powerful sense of connection and pride. This weekend’s event will give us the opportunity to showcase the incredible achievements of our students and staff over generations, and to thank the supportive community that has stood beside us every step of the way.”