Bradley Academy Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bradley Academy
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 Location in Tennessee
Location in the United States
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| Location | 415 S. Academy St., Murfreesboro, Tennessee |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1918 |
| Architectural style | School building |
| NRHP reference No. | 90000914 |
| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1990 |
The Bradley Academy Museum is a special historic building in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It used to be a school. Today, it is a museum and a place for the community to gather.
Contents
A Look Back: Bradley Academy's History
The first Bradley Academy was started in 1811. It was near Jefferson, which was the main town of Rutherford County back then. This was the very first school in the county.
Who Was John Bradley?
The school was named after John Bradley. He was an officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. Mr. Bradley gave the land where the first school was built.
Moving and Changing Schools
Later, the school moved to Murfreesboro. For many years, it was a school for white students. This continued until the 1850s.
In 1884, Bradley Academy reopened with a new purpose. It became the first school in the county for African American students.
The Building Today
The building you see now was built around 1917 or 1918. It served as a school for African-American children. This continued until 1955.
That year, the school moved to a new location. The old building then became a place for the Murfreesboro City Schools' maintenance team.
Saving the Building
In 1990, a group called the Bradley Academy Historical Association was formed. Their goal was to fix up the old building. They wanted it to be used by the community again.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. This means it is an important historical site.
Many groups helped pay for the restoration. These included the Christy-Houston Foundation and the Tennessee state government. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also provided funds.
The building officially opened as a community center in 2000. It now has exhibits that share the history of Rutherford County. It especially focuses on the history of African Americans in the area.
Bradley Academy Today
The name Bradley Academy is still used for a public elementary school in Murfreesboro. This school is located at 511 Mercury Boulevard.
