Bloomfield Academy (Skowhegan, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bloomfield Academy
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1970 photo
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St., Skowhegan, Maine |
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| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1840 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82000778 |
| Added to NRHP | February 19, 1982 |
The Bloomfield Academy is a very old school building located on Main Street in Skowhegan, Maine. It was built in 1840 by a skilled local builder. This building is a great example of Greek Revival architecture, which was popular a long time ago. It helps us remember the early history of schools in this area. Because it's so important, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Contents
What Does Bloomfield Academy Look Like?
The Bloomfield Academy building has two stories and is made of brick. It has a pointed roof and a strong foundation made of granite. The building also has granite details around its windows and doors.
The Tower and Front Entrance
On top of the building, there's a two-part tower. The first part is a simple square made of wood. The second part has cool arched openings with decorative columns called pilasters. These openings used to have louvers, which are like angled slats for air.
The front of the building faces east and has three sections. Brick columns separate these sections. The main entrance has double doors. A small roof covers these doors, protecting them. On either side of the entrance, there are windows on both floors. Above the entrance, on the second floor, there's a double window. The top part of the building, under the roof, is covered in wood. It has a unique semi-oval window in the middle.
A School's Journey Through Time
The school that later became Bloomfield Academy started in 1807. It was a private school called Canaan Academy. In 1819, the town where the school was located changed its name. So, the school's name also changed to Bloomfield Academy.
From Wood to Brick
The first building for the school was made of wood. But in 1840, this brick building was constructed to replace it. The person who built it was Asa Dyer. He was a well-known local brickmaker and a master builder.
Joining Public Schools
Eventually, Bloomfield Academy joined the public school system in Skowhegan. The building is now owned by a group called the Trustees of Bloomfield Academy. It stands as a reminder of the area's long history of education.
