Yorkville Female Institute

Front: Yorkville Female Institute or Yorkville Female College was the first school here, where private schools and then public schools operated 1854-1987. The institute, founded in 1852, opened in 1854 and built a three-story brick school. During the Civil War it housed refugees for a few years as classes were held on and off site. Yorkville High School, a private boys’ and girls’ school, operated here 1882-1888. Reverse: Yorkville Graded School, a public school, occupied the old institution 1889-1900. It burned, and a new brick school was built in 1902, with an east wing and theater added in 1922. This became an elementary school after a new high school was built in 1951. In 1973 it was renamed to honor George C. McCelvey (1888-1973), principal 1912-1948. Since the school closed in 1987, McCelvey Center has been used by the community and the Culture & Heritage Museums of York County.