Long-held memories refreshed, laughter and knowing nods exchanged, and a bounty of snapshots passed around.
Last week, eight ladies met in Stephenville to reminisce about their time spent at Bishop Jones Memorial Hostel - a St. John's residence for more than 1,300 outport Anglican/ Church of England young women from 1940 to 1968.
They stayed there while attending Memorial University, Bishop Spencer College or Summer School, living under a set of strict rules enforced by a matron.
Maisie Harding recalled the obligatory studying of three hours each night during the week.
"Somebody supervised us, so we were there whether we liked it or not," she said.
Residents would walk to church every Sunday morning and sing hymns during the week.
But everything wasn't always so prim and proper. Much of the reunion's conversations revolved around amusing experiences while living at the hostel.
Ms. Harding said four to seven young ladies shared each dorm. Several photos shared at the get-together depicted ladies cavorting in their accommodations, whether they were bunched together on a single bed or several beds pushed together.
"It was hilarious when the matron wasn't there," said Ms. Harding.
Many stories were shared about one matron in particular, Mrs. Gosse, who was said to be a stern disciplinarian in running the hostel.
"If you were late [on the weekend], and she had to unlock the door for you, you better have had a good excuse," said Marjory Kendall, with a chuckle.
Out and about
While residents were required to stay within the hostel's walls most of the time, they were permitted a bit of freedom.
"One night on a weekend, we'd go to movie at the Majestic," said June Pearce. "We'd go across the street after the movie for refreshments or for a plate of chips."
Ms. Pearce courted a young man during her stay at the hostel, who later became her husband. The pair has been married for more than 50 years.
Ms. Kendall remembered having a boyfriend during her stay at the hostel. She said he'd have to walk or take a bus across town to see her during the one evening a week she was allowed away from the hostel.
"If he couldn't come one week, he'd have to wait until the next week," she said. "There weren't any nights [for visiting] in between."
Several ladies recalled one evening during the year when gentleman callers were permitted past the hostel's front doors - for a special party.
The guests and their hosts would be dressed to the nines, while the usually staid wood panelling inside the residence would be spruced up with streamers and other decorations. Ms. Harding recalled inviting a friend to join her for the evening's festivities.
Ethel Baldwin recalled another special occasion when residents had the chance to catch the glimpse of a special visitor to St. John's - Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
"We walked downtown, me and my friends," said Ms. Baldwin. "It was a big deal."
She recalled the royal yacht Britannia docked in the harbour and cadets marching in a parade to mark the visit.
Ms. Baldwin also remembered the smiling queen, wearing a pink dress and hat as she passed along in a convertible.
Far from home
Vera Sheppard, like many of the hostel residents, travelled from her outport home on the railway to reach St. John's. She said it was a 24-hour train ride from home in Port aux Basques to the capital.
Ms. Pearce recalled some of the residents from the Bay Roberts and Spaniards Bay area along the island's east cost, who would take the bus home for the weekend. Mae Lomond added to Ms. Pearce's recollections, saying these ladies sometimes brought back food with them.
This was against hostel rules, as the matron said food in the dorm rooms would attract mice. Residents got around this order by eating in the bathroom.
"If somebody came back from Bay Roberts or wherever, we'd go in there and lock the door and eat whatever we had," said Ms. Lomond. "We'd have the bathroom door locked and if somebody tried to force their way in - before we opened the door, we'd make sure there wasn't any food left."
While she shared many fond and humorous memories, Jean Clarke did have a more sombre recollection of living at the hostel.
"I can remember when I was in there, I lost my wallet, there was $100 in it," said Ms. Clarke. "Through the jigs and the reels, it came back, without the money. Somebody found it 15 years later in the furnace."
She noted prayers of repentance were said for the unknown thief.
As the conversations meandered amongst the ladies, it was asked whether or not the hostel itself was still standing.
Ms. Chislett said she had indeed passed the building during recent visits to St. John's.
"No, I didn't go in, but I've often walked up there," she Ms. Chislett.
A few chuckles were shared as the ladies pondered what the building itself would say about its time as a young women's residence.
"That house could tell a lot stories," said Ms. Clarke.
Organized by Ms. Chislett and Ms. Kendall, this was the first ever west coast reunion for former Bishop Jones Memorial Hostel residents.
editor@thegeorgian.ca
The Bishop Jones Memorial Hostel was located at 55 Rennie's Mill Road in St. John's. Originally built by Sir Edward Morris in 1902, the residence was bought from the second owner, Eric Bowering, by Bishop Spencer College in 1927. It was then called Bishop Spencer Lodge.
Ten years later, it was purchased by the Church of England Diocese of Newfoundland and was dedicated as Bishop Jones Hostel on Feb. 7, 1940.
While the building still exists, the hostel itself closed in 1968.
Courtesy Muriel Chislett
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