Strafford Union Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Strafford Union Academy
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 Location in New Hampshire
Location in the United States
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| Location | NH 202A and 126, Strafford, New Hampshire |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1833 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001155 |
| Added to NRHP | September 22, 1983 |
The Strafford Union Academy, also known as Austin Hall, is a very old and important school building in Center Strafford, New Hampshire. You can find it where New Hampshire Routes 202A and 126 meet. This building was constructed in 1833. It is one of the best examples of early 19th-century school buildings still standing in New Hampshire. Today, the local historical society takes care of it. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 because of its historical value.
What Does the Building Look Like?
The Strafford Union Academy building is a two-story wooden structure. It has a roof that slopes down on two sides, with the front part shaped like a triangle. The outside walls are covered with overlapping wooden boards called clapboards. A small tower rises from the front of the roof. This tower has a square bottom section. Above that is an eight-sided bell tower, topped with a round, dome-shaped roof.
The front of the building has three sections and is very balanced. The main entrance is in the middle. The decorations on the front are in a style called Greek Revival. This style uses flat moldings and square blocks at the corners. The triangular part of the roof above the entrance is fully decorated. It has a half-round, louvered fan design in its center. Inside, there are large classrooms on each floor. There is also an entry area with a staircase on one side. Some of the original plaster walls have been covered. The entry area is now finished with pine wood.
A School Through Time
The academy was started in 1833. It served two main purposes. First, it was a private high school. Second, it was a training center for the Free Will Baptist church. This church group was founded nearby in New Durham. The building served both of these roles for many years in the 1800s. Its connection with the Free Will Baptists ended in 1881.
It continued to be a private high school until 1902. At that time, the Strafford Academy moved to a new location. Later, the building became home to the Austin Cate Academy. Today, this historic building houses the Strafford Historical Society museum. It helps people learn about the history of the area.
See Also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Strafford County, New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 291: Strafford Union Academy 1833–1903 / Austin-Cate Academy 1904–1981
