Ashford Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Ashford Academy
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fitts Rd., Ashford, Connecticut |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1825 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002649 |
| Added to NRHP | December 29, 1988 |
The Ashford Academy is a very old school building located on Fitts Road in Ashford, Connecticut. It was built in 1825, making it the oldest public building in the town. This historic place served as a school for many years, all the way until 1949. Because of its importance, the building was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
What Does the Ashford Academy Building Look Like?
The old Ashford Academy building is in the middle of Ashford village. You can find it on the north side of Fitts Road, close to where it meets Ashford Center Road (United States Route 44). It sits across a small, triangular part of the town green, looking out over Ashford Center Road.
It's a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood, with wooden planks on the outside. It has a pointed roof with a small, square bell tower on top. The corners of the building have special wooden panels that look like fancy corner stones. The front of the building has three sections, with doors on the left and right sides. These doors have decorative flat columns next to them and small ledges above them.
Inside, there's a small hallway, and classrooms are found on both the first and second floors. Some original parts of the building are still there, like the wide wooden floorboards and simple frames around the windows. The student desks and other furniture you might see inside are from the early 1900s.
Why is Ashford Academy Special?
Built in 1825, the Ashford Academy is thought to be the oldest public building in Ashford. When it was first built, it was surrounded by other important town buildings, like a church and taverns. Most of those other buildings are gone now.
The building was used for both public and private classes until 1875. After that, it became a public school only, until it closed in 1949. What makes this building stand out is its beautiful "Federal period" style. Buildings from that time, especially schools, were usually much simpler. The Ashford Academy has unusually fine details for a school of its age.
See also
