Norridgewock Female Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Norridgewock Female Academy
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | US 2 N side, .05 mi. W of jct. with Upper Main St., Norridgewock, Maine |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1837 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000244 |
| Added to NRHP | March 7, 1996 |
The former Norridgewock Female Academy is a special old school building. Today, it is home to the Norridgewock Historical Society. You can find it on Mercer Road (United States Route 2) in Norridgewock, Maine. It's just west of where Mercer Road meets Upper Main Street.
This building was built in 1837. That's when the Norridgewock Female Academy first opened its doors. The school used the building until 1860. It's unique because it's one of the few old school buildings in the area that looks like a Greek temple. Because of its history and design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Contents
What the Building Looks Like
The Norridgewock Female Academy building is in the village of Norridgewock. It sits next to the Eaton School building. It's a brick building with 1-1/2 stories. The front of the building has a triangular top, like a classic Greek temple.
It features four tall, simple columns. These columns support a wooden triangle shape above them. This triangle part has two windows in the middle. Below the columns, the front of the building has three sections. There's a simple entrance door in the middle, with windows on either side. At the back, a smaller wooden section connects the main building to an old carriage house.
History of the Academy
Founding and Early Years
The Norridgewock Female Academy started in 1837. The main part of this building was built that same year. The land for the school was given by Dr. Amos Townsend. The academy taught students until 1860.
One famous student was Rebecca Sophia Clarke. She later became a well-known writer. She wrote many children's books using the pen name "Sophie May."
Later Uses of the Building
After the Norridgewock Female Academy closed, the building was used by the Eaton School. The Eaton School was founded in 1865. They used this building before their own new building was finished in 1866-1867.
Later, the Eaton School used this building for teachers to live in. It was faculty housing until the 1880s. Then, it was sold to private owners. In 1994, the Norridgewock Historical Society bought the building. Now, it serves as their museum, preserving local history.
