Eagleswood Military Academy facts for kids
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George Inness House
Eagleswood Mansion |
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 Location in Middlesex County, New Jersey
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| Location | 313 Convery Blvd Perth Amboy, New Jersey |
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| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003250 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 10, 1979 |
The Eagleswood Military Academy was a special private school for military training. It was located in Perth Amboy, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. This academy helped educate young people before the American Civil War began.
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The Story of Eagleswood Academy
The Eagleswood Military Academy was started in 1861 by Rebecca Spring (1812–1911) and Marcus Spring (1810–1874). It was located near the intersection of Route 35 and Smith Street. Before the academy, the Springs created a community called the Raritan Bay Union in 1853. This was a "utopian" community, meaning people tried to create a perfect society there. However, the Union closed down in 1860.
Rebecca Spring was known for her beliefs. She arranged for the burial of two people, A.D. Stevens and A.E. Hazlett, on her property. These individuals were involved in John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry. Later, in 1899, their remains were moved. They were reburied with other people involved in the raid at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site, near Lake Placid, New York.
The Eagleswood Mansion
The land where the academy stood was about 260 acres. This large area was part of a survey done by the famous writer Henry David Thoreau. The Eagleswood Mansion was a big house on these grounds. This house was important enough to be listed on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. It was known as the George Inness House. Sadly, the house was taken down in 1993.
A famous American painter named George Inness lived at the house in the 1860s. Another artist, Edward L. Kemeys (1843–1907), also spent time living at Eagleswood.
Why the Academy Closed
The start of the American Civil War in 1861 changed many things. Many teachers from the Eagleswood Military Academy left to join the war. Because of this, the school did not have enough staff or students to keep going. So, it had to close.
Several years later, the site became a hotel called the Eagleswood Park Hotel. It stayed a hotel until 1888. Then, the Eagleswood property was sold by the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company to Calvin Pardee. He built a company there that made ceramic tiles.
Famous Students of Eagleswood
Even though it was open for a short time, some notable people attended Eagleswood Military Academy.
- Ralph Munroe
- Louis Comfort Tiffany
