Somerset Academy (Athens, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Somerset Academy
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Academy St., Athens, Maine |
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| Built | 1846 |
| Architect | Bigelow, Joseph |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001499 |
| Added to NRHP | July 19, 1984 |
Somerset Academy, also known as Athens Academy, is an old and important building located on Academy Street in Athens, Maine. It was built way back in 1846. This building is a great example of a style called Greek Revival architecture, even though it's in a quiet, rural area. Today, the building is home to the River of Life Church. Because of its history and special design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. This means it's officially recognized as a place worth protecting for future generations.
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About Somerset Academy
The Somerset Academy building stands on the north side of Academy Street in Athens, Maine. It's a two-and-a-half story building made of brick, with a roof that slopes down on two sides to form a triangle at the front. There's also a newer part added to the back of the building.
What Does It Look Like?
The front of the building faces south and has three main sections. The outer sections have windows on both floors. The middle section is covered in wooden planks and has the main entrance. This entrance has simple wooden pillars on each side and a decorative top. Above the entrance, on the second floor, there's another window.
Around the top of the building, just below the roof, there's a decorative band. The triangular part of the roof at the front is also covered in smooth wooden planks and has a small, curved window in the center.
The Tower
Right in the middle of the roof, a two-part square tower rises up. The bottom part is simple, made of wooden planks. The top part is a belfry, which is where a bell would usually be. It has arched openings with slats, and decorative pillars at its corners. A simple railing sits on top of the tower.
Who Built It?
The Somerset Academy building was constructed in 1846 by a man named Joseph Bigelow. He was a well-known builder from Skowhegan, Maine during that time. The money to build the academy was collected from many people who wanted to support education. The biggest donation came from John Ware, who also gave the land where the building stands.
What Is It Used For Now?
Even though it was originally an academy, the building now serves as the home for the River of Life Church. A local group of the American Legion, which is an organization for military veterans, also uses the building.
