South Reading Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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South Reading Academy
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 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
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| Location | 7 Foster St., Wakefield, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1828 |
| Architect | Wiley, Adam,; Et al. |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| MPS | Wakefield MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000713 |
| Added to NRHP | July 06, 1989 |
South Reading Academy is an old school building in Wakefield, Massachusetts. It is located at 7 Foster Street. This historic building was first built in 1828-1829. It was originally made for the First Baptist Church. Over the years, it has been many things. It was a religious school, a public high school, a clubhouse, and even a place for businesses. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. This means it is an important historical site.
Contents
What Does the Academy Building Look Like?
The South Reading Academy building is on the west side of Foster Street. This street is in the middle of Wakefield. It runs next to Main Street. The building is two and a half stories tall. It is made of wood. It has a roof that points forward, like a triangle.
Main Entrance and Design
The front of the building faces east. It has three sections that are the same on both sides. The main door is in the middle. It is set back into the building. Columns and a decorative frame surround the entrance. The front roof section is shaped like a full triangle. It has a pretty shingle pattern in the center.
A Look Back at the Academy's History
The South Reading Academy was built around 1828 or 1829. The First Baptist Church built it. They used it as both an academy (a type of school) and a meeting house. It was one of the first buildings of its kind.
Where the Academy First Stood
The building was not always in its current spot. It was first located on Academy Hill. Later, the Lincoln School was built there. The Baptists used the academy building until 1847.
Changes Over the Years
In 1847, the town of Wakefield bought the building. They used it as a public high school. The town stopped using it as a school in 1871. Then, in 1891, the building was moved to its current location.
Since then, it has been home to many groups. It was used by a group called the Grand Army of the Republic. It also served a Methodist church. Later, the Fraternal Order of Eagles used it. In the 1970s, a fire badly damaged the building. But it was fixed up and is now used for businesses.
