Yorkville Female Institute, also called Yorkville Female College, was the first school here, where private schools and then public schools operated from 1854 to 1987. Founded in 1852, it opened in 1854 and built a three-story brick school. During the Civil War, it housed refugees for a few years while classes were held on and off site. Yorkville High School, a private boys' and girls' school, operated here from 1882 to 1888. Yorkville Graded School, a public school, occupied the old institute from 1889 to 1900. After it burned, a new brick school was built in 1902, and an east wing and theater were added in 1922. The building 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), who served as principal from 1912 to 1948. Since the school closed in 1987, McCelvey Center has been used by the community and the Culture & Heritage Museums of York County.