The Ashford Academy is a historic school building on Fitts Road in
Ashford, Connecticut
Ashford is a New England town, town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. It is part of the Connecticut Quiet Corner. The population was 4,191 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. It was founded in 1714. Eastford, Connecticut, Ea ...
. Built in 1825, it is the oldest public building in the town, serving as a school until 1949. The building was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
in 1988.
Description and history
The former Ashford Academy building is located in the village center of Ashford, on the north side of Fitts Road, near its junction with Ashford Center Road (
United States Route 44
U.S. Route 44 (US 44) is an east–west United States Numbered Highway that runs for through four states in the Northeastern United States. The western terminus is at US 209 and New York State Route 55 (NY 55) in Kerhonkso ...
). It overlooks the latter road across a triangular portion of the town green. It is a 2-1/2 story wood frame structure, with clapboard siding, and a gable roof topped by a small square belfry tower. The building corners have wooden panels fashioned in the manner of
quoins, rising to a fully pedimented gable. The front facade is three bays wide, with entrances in each of the outside bays. The entrances are flanked by wide paneled pilasters and topped by narrow projecting cornices. The interior consists of a relatively narrow vestibule area, with classroom spaces on both the first and second floors. Original features include the wide floorboards and simple window trim, while the student desks and other furnishings date to the early 20th century.
[
Built in 1825, it is believed to be the town's oldest public building. Its location was at that time amid other trappings of the town center, including a church and taverns, most of which are no longer standing. The building was used for both public and private classes until 1875, and as an exclusively public district school until 1949. It has unusually fine Federal period detailing for a school of its period, which were generally more utilitarian in appearance.]
See also
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References
{{National Register of Historic Places
Ashford, Connecticut
Schools in Windham County, Connecticut
School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut
National Register of Historic Places in Windham County, Connecticut