Lawrence Academy (Falmouth, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lawrence Academy
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Lawrence Academy
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 Location in Cape Cod
Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | Falmouth, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1834 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000123 |
| Added to NRHP | February 20, 1998 |
The Lawrence Academy is a historic building located at 20 Academy Lane in Falmouth, Massachusetts. It was built in 1834 and is known as one of Falmouth's best examples of Greek Revival architecture.
This building first served as a private school. Later, it became Falmouth's high school from 1891 to 1895. After that, it was used as a community hall for different groups of military veterans. Today, the building is home to the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, recognizing its importance.
Contents
Discovering the Lawrence Academy Building
The Lawrence Academy building is located at the end of Academy Lane. This short street is just off Main Street (Massachusetts Route 28) in the center of Falmouth. The building faces south and has a classic, old-fashioned look.
What the Building Looks Like
The academy is a two-and-a-half-story building made of wood. It has a roof that slopes down on the front and back, forming a triangle at the front. This front part looks like an ancient Greek temple. It has a grand porch with four tall, fancy columns. These columns support a decorative border and a triangular roof section.
The Bell Tower
Above the main building, there is a two-part bell tower. The bottom part is square and covered in clapboard siding. It has a decorative edge. The top part is shaped like an octagon and holds the bell. This bell tower was rebuilt to look just like the original one, based on old photographs.
A Look at the Academy's History
The Lawrence Academy was built in 1834. This was a time when many private schools, called academies, were being started in the region. The school officially became a corporation in 1835.
From Private School to High School
In the 1870s, new state rules meant that towns had to provide secondary education for their students. To meet this goal, the town of Falmouth bought the academy building in 1890. It then became the town's high school. The building served as the high school until a new, larger building was finished in 1896.
Used by Veterans and More
After its time as a high school, the town rented the hall to local groups of military veterans. It was used by the Grand Army of the Republic, a group for Civil War veterans. Later, the Sons of Union Veterans and the American Legion also used the building.
Changes Over Time
The building has been updated and repaired over the years. In the 1940s, a new section was added to make the building longer. This addition was carefully designed to match the original style. The bell tower was rebuilt in the 1960s. It was also repaired in the 1990s after it was damaged by Hurricane Bob. Today, the building is home to the local chamber of commerce, which helps businesses in the area.
See also
