Atkinson Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atkinson Academy |
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The 1802 building
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| Coordinates | 42°50′23″N 71°8′49″W / 42.83972°N 71.14694°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1787 |
| Founder | William Cogswell, Stephen Peabody, Nathaniel Peabody |
| School district | Timberlane Regional School District |
| Principal | Stephen Harrises |
| Faculty | 34.7 (on FTE basis) |
| Grades | K to 5 |
| Enrollment | 480 (2007–08) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 13.8:1 |
| Colour(s) | Blue, Yellow |
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Atkinson Academy School
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1803 |
| Architect | Ebenezer Clifford |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000297 |
| Added to NRHP | August 26, 1980 |
Atkinson Academy is a public elementary school located at 17 Academy Avenue in Atkinson, New Hampshire. It is part of the Timberlane Regional School District. The main building, built in 1803, is believed to be the oldest standing school in the United States that taught both boys and girls. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 because of its important history and design.
The School Building
Atkinson Academy is in the main part of Atkinson town. You can find it on the north side of Academy Avenue. The original building is a large, two-story wooden structure. It has a special roof shape called a hip roof. The outside is covered with clapboards, which are long, thin wooden boards.
Right in the middle of the roof, there's a tall tower. This tower has an open, eight-sided belfry (where bells might be) and a small dome on top called a cupola. The front of the building has seven sections, or "bays." The middle three sections stand out with special columns called pilasters and a triangular shape above them called a pedimented gable.
The main entrance has a window on one side and columns on both sides. These columns go up to a decorative band and another triangular shape above the door. Newer parts of the school have been added to the back of this old building. This makes the school look a bit like the letter "W" from above.
History of Atkinson Academy
Atkinson Academy was started in 1787. When it first opened, it was only for boys. Three important people founded it: Reverend Stephen Peabody, General Nathaniel Peabody, and Dr. William Cogswell.
Just a few years later, in 1791, the school began to admit girls too. This made it one of the first schools in the country to teach both boys and girls together. The very first school building was built in 1789. However, it was sadly destroyed by a fire on November 15, 1802.
The school you see today was finished in 1803. It was designed by Ebenezer Clifford, who was a famous builder in southern New Hampshire at that time. This building is a rare example of his work that is still standing.
There's even a place in northern New Hampshire called Atkinson and Gilmanton Academy Grant. This area was named partly after Atkinson Academy. It was originally given to the academy to help support it.
In 1874, the academy was led by B.H. Weston. At that time, it was known as one of the oldest and most respected schools in New Hampshire. The 1803 school building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's recognized for its unique and important architecture.
Notable Alumni
Many interesting people have attended Atkinson Academy over the years. Here are a few:
- Jonathan Cilley: He became a congressman for the state of Maine.
- William Cogswell: He was also a congressman, but from Massachusetts. He was also a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
- Grace Fletcher Webster: She was the wife of Daniel Webster, a very famous American politician and speaker.
See also
