Spencertown Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Spencertown Academy
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South elevation and west profile, 2008
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Spencertown, New York |
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| Nearest city | Pittsfield, Massachusetts |
| Built | 1847 |
| Architect | Benjamin Ambler |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001174 |
| Added to NRHP | 1973 |
The Spencertown Academy is a historic building in Spencertown, New York. It is located along NY 203. This building was constructed in the mid-1800s. It shows the Greek Revival style, which was popular then.
The academy started as a private school. It trained teachers for the area. Later, it became a public school for everyone. It served as a school until 1970. In 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. Today, the building is a busy arts center.
Contents
Discovering the Academy's Design
The Spencertown Academy building is just northeast of Spencertown. It sits on a small hill near Route 203. Woods surround it on two sides.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The building has two stories. It is three sections wide and five sections deep. It rests on a strong stone base. The roof has a pointed shape called a gable. A small bell tower is on the south end. There is also a brick chimney on the north side.
The outside walls are covered in clapboard. This is a type of overlapping wooden siding. The front of the building looks special. It has a portico, which is like a porch with columns. There are four tall, fluted columns. They have Ionic tops, which are fancy and scroll-shaped. A single rectangular window is above the columns.
Inside the Historic Academy
On the first floor, there are two main rooms. Upstairs, you can find a library. There is also an auditorium. This space is used for performances and events.
A Look Back at the Academy's History
The Spencertown Academy has a long and interesting past. It played an important role in education.
How the Academy Began
The idea for the academy started in 1845. A local pastor, Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, worked hard to get it approved. He wanted a school to train teachers. The state government officially approved it. The land for the school cost $224. Local builder Benjamin Ambler built the academy. He charged $2,459 for the construction. The school opened its doors in October 1847.
Changes Over the Years
In 1863, the building had some small repairs. Ten years later, in 1873, it became a public school. This was a big change for the community. The building saw its biggest updates in the 1910s and 1920s. In 1915, the front porch was redone with concrete. About ten years later, the first floor was divided. Modern heating and plumbing were also added then.
From School to Arts Center
In 1955, the Chatham Central School District took over the academy. However, they stopped using the building in 1970. Two years later, local people formed a group. They called themselves the Spencertown Academy Society. Their goal was to save the building.
At first, they wanted it to be a community center. But it soon became the Spencertown Academy Arts Center. Today, it has art galleries and studios. It also has an auditorium. This center supports local visual and performing arts. It is a vibrant place for creativity.
Images for kids
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South elevation and west profile, 2008
