Canaan Union Academy facts for kids
Canaan Union Academy was a school built a long time ago in Canaan, New Hampshire. It was started in 1839. Back then, schools were often separated, and this one was only for white students. It was built after another school, called Noyes Academy, was destroyed because it allowed students of all races to learn together.
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What Was Canaan Union Academy?
Canaan Union Academy was a school that opened its doors in 1839. It was located in the town of Canaan, New Hampshire. At that time, many schools in the United States were segregated. This meant that students were separated based on their race. Canaan Union Academy was a school only for white students.
A New School After a Difficult Time
Before Canaan Union Academy, there was another school nearby called Noyes Academy. Noyes Academy was special because it allowed students of all races to learn together. However, in 1835, a group of people who were against ending slavery and against integrated schools destroyed Noyes Academy. They used oxen to pull the building down.
After this sad event, the community decided to build a new school. This new school became Canaan Union Academy. It was built in 1839, about four years after Noyes Academy was destroyed. The school operated for about twenty years. Then, the building was left empty for a long time, falling apart by 1886. Later, Canaan Union Academy was reopened and continued teaching students until 1892.
From School to Library and Museum
The building had a long and interesting history after it stopped being a school. In 1903, the people of Canaan voted to spend $100 (which would be about equivalent to $3,300 in 2022 today) to fix up the old Academy building. They wanted to turn it into a library for the town.
From 1904 until 1978, the building was home to the Canaan Town Library. In 1961, the Canaan Historical Museum also started sharing the building with the library. They worked together to preserve the town's history.
In 1978, the library moved to a bigger building in the Canaan Community Building. After the library moved, the Canaan Historical Society and Museum took over the entire Academy building. Today, it continues to be the Canaan Historical Museum, sharing the story of the town.
The Building Today
The Canaan Union Academy building has a unique look. It features a two-story porch where people can sit or stand. It also has an open belfry, which is a tower where a bell might be placed. The belfry is topped with a low, pyramid-shaped roof. This historic building is an important part of the Canaan Street Historic District.
