The Governor's Academy is an independent school north of Boston located on in the village of Byfield, Massachusetts, United States (town of Newbury), north of

Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the capital city, state capital and List of municipalities in Massachusetts, most populous city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financ ...

. The Academy enrolls approximately 412 students in grades nine through twelve, 70% of whom are boarders. The school was established in 1763 and is the oldest continuously operating independent boarding school in the United States.

History

The school was founded two years after the death of

William Dummer William Dummer (bapt. September 29, 1677 (O.S.) October 10, 1677 (N.S.)/small> – October 10, 1761) was a politician in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. He served as its lieutenant governor for fourteen years (1716–1730), including an e ...

, who funded it in his will. Dummer had been lieutenant governor and acting governor of Massachusetts for many years, and led the colony through a difficult period in the earlier 18th century: fighting off forays by French and Indians during what became known as

Dummer's War Dummer's War (1722–1725) is also known as Father Rale's War, Lovewell's War, Greylock's War, the Three Years War, the Wabanaki-New England War, or the Fourth Anglo-Abenaki War. It was a series of battles between the New England Colonies and the ...

in the 1720s. He also served as an early overseer of

Harvard College Harvard College is the undergraduate college of Harvard University, an Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636, Harvard College is the original school of Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher ...

. He was from a prominent colonial family with his brother Jeremiah Dummer having been a principal founding benefactor of the College of New Haven, which later became

Yale University Yale University is a Private university, private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Sta ...

. As the

Boston Latin School The Boston Latin School is a public exam school in Boston, Massachusetts. It was established on April 23, 1635, making it both the oldest public school in the British America and the oldest existing school in the United States. Its curriculum f ...

only accepted students from the city of Boston, the need arose for schools in more outlying areas to prepare students for college—the only ones existing at that time in New England being Harvard and Yale;

Brown Brown is a color. It can be considered a composite color, but it is mainly a darker shade of orange. In the CMYK color model used in printing or painting, brown is usually made by combining the colors orange and black. In the RGB color model use ...

and

Dartmouth Dartmouth may refer to: Places * Dartmouth, Devon, England ** Dartmouth Harbour * Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States * Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada * Dartmouth, Victoria, Australia Institutions * Dartmouth College, Ivy League university i ...

were founded a few years afterward. In that context, the Dummer Charity School or Dummer Grammar School commenced operation in 1763 pursuant to the will of Governor Dummer with Samuel Moody as its first headmaster. In 1782, the Dummer school was officially incorporated as the Dummer Academy, whose graduates in this era comprised approximately 25% of the undergraduate student body at Harvard. Most children in this era were home-schooled with pre-college education ending around the age of 14, with youths thereafter going on to college or entering the workforce. Thus most college freshmen tended to be the age of high school freshmen today. As was the custom, the curriculum in this era focused primarily on the study of Scripture, basic math and English and, most importantly, instruction in Latin, Greek, and the Classics. The curriculum broadened over time as the requirements of college admission expanded. Although the academy initially operated in a one-room schoolhouse which still stands to this day, it had access to the grand mansion of the late governor, which remains a central fixture on the campus as the headmaster's residence. Over time other structures were built and the faculty and curriculum expanded so that by the time of the school's centennial in 1863, the Dummer Academy had grown into a well known 19th-century prep school that catered mostly to children from affluent families who aspired to the

Ivy League The Ivy League is an American collegiate athletic conference comprising eight private research universities in the Northeastern United States. The term ''Ivy League'' is typically used beyond the sports context to refer to the eight schoo ...

. By the turn of the 20th century, however, the school had fallen on hard times, with enrollment and income down, as the school struggled under the shadow of

Andover Andover may refer to: Places Australia *Andover, Tasmania Canada * Andover Parish, New Brunswick * Perth-Andover, New Brunswick United Kingdom * Andover, Hampshire, England ** RAF Andover, a former Royal Air Force station United States * And ...

and

Exeter Exeter () is a city in Devon, South West England. It is situated on the River Exe, approximately northeast of Plymouth and southwest of Bristol. In Roman Britain, Exeter was established as the base of Legio II Augusta under the personal c ...

, and other schools that had grown to become very well known and prestigious. It was in this context that Dr. Charles Ingham became headmaster in 1908, launching great efforts to revive the Academy. As a result, Dummer Academy became stabilized and began to again thrive as a premier New England prep school that sent over a third of its graduates to Ivy League colleges during that period. Upon Dr. Ingham's retirement in 1930, Edward "Ted" Eames became headmaster, a post he held for 30 years. Early in Master Eames' tenure, the name of the school was changed to the Governor Dummer Academy, a title it retained until 2006. With some exceptions, the school primarily was open only to boys until coeducation was established in 1972.

Name change

In December 2005, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name of the Academy to "The Governor's Academy" amid concerns that the name "Dummer" was deterring prospective students from applying. Legally the name remains "Governor Dummer Academy" doing business as "The Governor's Academy." When founded, the Academy was named "Dummer Charity School." Subsequently, the name was changed to "Dummer Academy," which name it was known by for a century and a half. The decision to change met with resistance from some students and alumni, and attracted media attention from around the country. Those who promoted the change saw it as one of a number of ways to expand the geographic representation and the overall appeal of the school, especially to those who were not familiar with the school or its history. The name change took effect on July 1, 200

In 2010-2011, the Academy set records for admissions inquiries, interviews and applications, thus supporting the decision that the name change would enhance institutional marketing efforts.

Academics

Students study in small classes, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1. Advanced Placement courses are offered in nearly 22 subjects, from mathematics and science to art, foreign languages, English and history. Foreign language classes are offered in Chinese, French, Spanish, German and Latin. Eighty-five percent of faculty live on campus and serve as dorm parents and coaches as well as classroom teachers. More than 70% have advanced degrees, with several having earned terminal degrees in science, law, education and medicine.

Athletics

The Academy is a member of the Independent School League. The school fields 23 varsity teams and 47 interscholastic teams. There are three levels of interscholastic competition offered at The Governor's Academy: varsity, junior varsity, and thirds. Governor's regularly competes with its rival Brooks School. *2002 – Boys' Lacrosse ISL Co-Champions *2004 – Football ISL Champions *2005 – Football ISL Champions *2006 – Boys' Lacrosse ISL Tri-Champions *2006 – Girls' Soccer ISL Champions *2006 – Softball ISL Champions *2007 – Boys' Lacrosse ISL Co-Champions *2008 – Girls' Ice Hockey New England Champions *2008 – Boys' Lacrosse ISL Champions (undefeated) *2008 – Girls' Softball ISL Champions *2008 – Golf ISL Champions *2008 – Girls' Cross Country ISL and New England Champions *2009 – Girls' Ice Hockey New England Champions *2009 – Boys' lacrosse Tri-ISL Champions *2009 – Field Hockey New England Champions *2009 – Girls' Cross Country New England Champions *2010 – Girls' Ice Hockey New England Champions *2011 – Girls' Ice Hockey New England Champions *2011 – Boys' Lacrosse ISL Champions (undefeated) *2011 – Girls' Softball ISL Champions *2011 – Football ISL/New England Champions (undefeated) *2011 – Girls' Soccer New England "Class B" Champions *2012 – Boys' Lacrosse Co-ISL Champions *2012 – Girls' Softball ISL Co-Champions *2012 – Football ISL/New England Champions (undefeated) *2012 – Girls' Soccer ISL/New England Champions (undefeated) *2013 – Boys' Baseball ISL Co-Champions *2013 – Girls' Softball ISL Champions (undefeated) *2013 – Football ISL Co-Champions/New England Champions *2014 – Football ISL Co-Champions *2015 – Girls' Field Hockey New England Champions *2015 – Girls' Softball ISL Champions (undefeated) *2015 – Boys' Lacrosse Co-ISL Champions *2016 – Girls' Field Hockey ISL Champions *2016 – Girls' Softball ISL Champions (undefeated) *2016 – Boys' Baseball ISL Co-Champions *2017 – Girls' Field Hockey ISL Champions *2017 – Girls' Field Hockey New England Champions *2018 – Boys' Lacrosse Co-ISL Champions *2022 – Boy's Football ISL Champions *2022 – Girl's Field Hockey New England Champions

Arts

Programs in visual and performing arts are offered in the Kaiser Art Center and the Wilkie Performing Arts Center. Kaiser has studios for photography and film, ceramics, drawing, painting and design. Wilkie has a 500-seat auditorium/theater, a black box, an art gallery, and a complete workshop for technical theater. The Academy has performed exceedingly well in recent ''Boston Globe'' Scholastic Art Awards competitions, ranking first in total awards in 2010 and second in 2011. In 2012, Academy students won 39 awards in the competition in 4 different art disciplines: ceramics, studio art, photography and film. Governor's artists won 15 Gold Keys, 10 Silver Keys, and 14 Honorable Mentions, making the Academy the most winning independent school in Massachusetts.

Traditions

Every member of the school signs a book, located in The Little Red School House, upon arrival. This tradition dates back to the school's early years under the first Headmaster, Samuel Moody. After commencement, every member of the graduating class jumps over the mansion house wall.

Notable alumni

* Wentworth Cheswell (1765), the first African American elected to public office in the United States * Theophilus Parsons (1765), Chief Justice of Massachusetts * Eliphalet Pearson (1769), first headmaster of

Phillips Academy ("Not for Self") la, Finis Origine Pendet ("The End Depends Upon the Beginning") Youth From Every Quarter Knowledge and Goodness , address = 180 Main Street , city = Andover , state = M ...

Andover, interim President of Harvard University, 1804-1806 * Samuel Phillips, Jr. (1771), founder of Phillips Andover *

Samuel Tenney Samuel Tenney (November 27, 1748 – February 6, 1816) was a United States representative from New Hampshire. Born in Byfield in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, he attended Governor Dummer Academy and graduated from Harvard College in 1 ...

, scholar, judge, physician/surgeon who treated wounded at the

Battle of Bunker Hill The Battle of Bunker Hill was fought on June 17, 1775, during the Siege of Boston in the first stage of the American Revolutionary War. The battle is named after Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts, which was peripherally involved in ...

, attached to the

1st Rhode Island Regiment The 1st Rhode Island Regiment (also known as Varnum's Regiment, the 9th Continental Regiment, the Black Regiment, the Rhode Island Regiment, and Olney's Battalion) was a regiment in the Continental Army raised in Colony of Rhode Island and Pro ...

, encamped at Valley Forge, PA, designated acting Surgeon General of the Army by General Washington, delegate to New Hampshire's Constitutional Convention, U.S. congressman * Samuel Sewall (congressman) (1772), U.S. congressman, Chief Justice of Massachusetts *

Rufus King Rufus King (March 24, 1755April 29, 1827) was an American Founding Father, lawyer, politician, and diplomat. He was a delegate for Massachusetts to the Continental Congress and the Philadelphia Convention and was one of the signers of the Un ...

(1773) delegate to Constitutional Convention, United States Senator and 1816 Federalist candidate for President *

Samuel Osgood Samuel Osgood (February 3, 1747 – August 12, 1813) was an American merchant and statesman born in Andover, Massachusetts, currently a part of North Andover, Massachusetts. His family home still stands at 440 Osgood Street in North Andover ...

(1776), first U.S. Postmaster, Speaker New York State Assembly; first President, City Bank of New York * Edward Preble (1776), U.S. Naval officer during Revolutionary War and thereafter, commanded USS ''Constitution'' during war with Barbary Pirates * Tobias Lear (1779), personal secretary to George Washington *

Benjamin Pickman, Jr. Benjamin Pickman Jr. (September 30, 1763 – August 16, 1843) was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts. Biography Pickman was born in Salem in the Province of Massachusetts Bay, a descendant of Benjamin Pickman, an Englishman from Bri ...

(1780), Massachusetts state legislator, U.S. congressman *Sir David Ochterlony, American "Tory" officer in the British Army who served in India from 1777 until his death in 1825, rising to the rank of general while helping to consolidate British colonial rule there * Joseph Willard, President of Harvard University (1781–1804) * Samuel Webber, President of Harvard University (1806–1810) *

Parker Cleaveland Parker Cleaveland (January 1, 1780 – August 15, 1858) was an American geologist and mineralogist, born in Rowley, Massachusetts. He was identified with the early progress of the natural sciences. After having attending the Dummer Academy in ...

(1795), professor of mineralogy at Bowdoin College, leading early American authority on this subject, known as the "Father of American Mineralogy" *

Frederick W. Lander Frederick William Lander (December 17, 1821 – March 2, 1862) was a transcontinental United States explorer, general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, and a prolific poet. Birth and early years Lander was born in Salem, Massachus ...

, Brig. Gen. USA, killed in action during the Civil War *

Reuben D. Mussey, Jr. Reuben D. Mussey Jr. (often called RD Mussey) (May 30, 1833 – May 29, 1892) was a Union Army colonel during the American Civil War and a distinguished lawyer. He was an important recruiter of black men into the United States Colored Troops ...

(1846), Brig. Gen. USA, later private secretary to President Andrew Johnson, professor at Howard University Law School; he married Ellen Spencer Mussey, who became one of the first female attorneys in the District of Columbia and who was leading suffragist. She also became a founder of the

Washington College of Law The American University Washington College of Law (AUWCL or WCL) is the law school of American University, a private research university in Washington, D.C. It is located on the western side of Tenley Circle in the Tenleytown section of no ...

. *

John W. Candler John Wilson Candler (February 10, 1828 – March 16, 1903) was a United States representative from Massachusetts. He was born in Boston on February 10, 1828. He attended the Marblehead and Dummer Academies. He then became a merchant, enga ...

, member of Congress from Massachusetts during the 1880s *

Benjamin Perley Poore Benjamin Perley Poore (November 2, 1820 – May 30, 1887) was a prominent American newspaper correspondent, editor, and author in the mid-19th century. One of the most popular and prolific journalists of his era, he was an active partisan for the ...

, journalist, newspaper editor and founder of the

Gridiron Club The Gridiron Club is the oldest and among the most prestigious journalistic organizations in Washington, D.C. History Frank A. De Puy (1854–1927) was one of several who met January 24, 1885, at the Welcker's Hotel in Washington, D.C. – ...

* Yu Kil-chun, Korean reformist and the first Korean to study in the West, entered the school in 1884 * Frank Crowe (1901), civil engineer and dam builder ( Hoover Dam,

Shasta Dam Shasta Dam (called Kennett Dam before its construction) is a concrete arch-gravity dam across the Sacramento River in Northern California in the United States. At high, it is the eighth-tallest dam in the United States. Located at the north e ...

)"F.T. Crowe Dead, Built 19 U.S. Dams", New York Times, February 28, 1946 *

William Summer Johnson William Summer Johnson (February 24, 1913 – August 19, 1995) was an American chemist and teacher. From 1940 to 1958, Johnson was an instructor and then professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In 1958, he moved to Stanford Universi ...

(1932), professor of chemistry at Stanford who was awarded the

National Medal of Science The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social scienc ...

Benjamin A. Smith II Benjamin Atwood Smith II (March 26, 1916 – September 26, 1991) was an American politician who served as a member of the United States Senate from December 1960 until November 1962. Early life and education Smith, who was named for his grandfat ...

(1935), U.S. senator from Massachusetts, 1960–62 *

Joe Hoague Joseph Daniell Hoague (February 18, 1918 – January 4, 1991) was a professional American football player in the National Football League (NFL) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and later the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Steagles, and the Boston Yanks. P ...

(1937), professional football player, Pittsburgh Steelers *

Ted Bergmann Theodore Gerard Bergmann (September 12, 1920 – March 2, 2014) was an American television and radio producer, screenwriter, announcer, network and advertising executive. He worked for the Dumont Television Network in the 1940s and 1950s. He wo ...

, American TV and film producer and screenwriter *

Niles Perkins Niles Lee Perkins, Jr. (July 1, 1919 – April 25, 1971) was an American athlete and physician. Perkins was United States champion in men's 35-lb weight throw in 1940 and held the weight throw indoor world record for nine years. He was also a goo ...

(1938), athlete and physician *

Dodge Morgan Dodge David Morgan (January 15, 1932 – September 14, 2010) was an American sailor, businessman, publisher and "self-proclaimed contrarian." He flew fighter jets in the U.S. Air Force in the early 1950s, worked as a newspaper reporter in Alask ...

(1950), the first American to sail solo around the globe with no stops (1986) * Michael Stonebraker (1961) Receiver of the ACM Turing Award also referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Computing" *

Jeb Bradley Joseph E. "Jeb" Bradley (born October 20, 1952) is an American politician and member of the Republican Party who serves in the New Hampshire Senate. He represents his hometown of Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and 16 other towns in east-central New Ha ...

(1970), U.S. congressman, 2003–2007; New Hampshire state senator 2009- * Steve Bucknall (1985), professional basketball player, LA Lakers *

Carrie Walton Penner Carrie Walton Penner (born August 12, 1970) is the granddaughter of Sam Walton the founder of Walmart, and the daughter of former company chairman S. Robson Walton. Walton Penner is a powerful influence in the charter school movement. Early li ...

(1988),

Walton Family The Walton family is an American family whose collective fortune derived from Walmart makes them the richest family in the United States of America. Overview The three most prominent living members ( Jim, Rob, and Alice Walton) have consis ...

, Charter School Growth Fund * Dan Gadzuric (1998), professional basketball player, Golden State Warriors *

Nat Baldwin Nat Baldwin (born February 21, 1980 in Rochester, New Hampshire) is an American bassist, improvisor, and songwriter. He's released several solo albums since 2003 and is also known for being a former member of Dirty Projectors. In 2020 he release ...

(1999), bassist and singer, member of Dirty Projectors *Song, Chang-il (2000), known by his stage name

Double K Son Chang-il (Hangul: 손창일, January 1, 1982), better known by his stage name Illson (stylized as ILLSON) and formerly as Double K (Hangul The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea' ...

, a South Korean rapper * Derek Falvey (2001), Executive Vice President and Chief Baseball Officer for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB) * Didit Hediprasetyo (2001), fashion designer * Benn Ferriero (2004), professional ice hockey player, San Jose Sharks * Robert Francois (2004), professional football player, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl champion 2010-11 * Alexandra Carpenter (2011), Olympic women's hockey player * Duncan Robinson (2012), professional basketball player, Miami Heat * Jake Picking (2010), American actor * Matt Peart (2015), professional football player for the New York Giants of the NFL

References

External links

* * *
The Governor's Academy on Instagram
Archived fro
the original
on ghostarchive.org {{DEFAULTSORT:Governor's Academy, The 1763 establishments in Massachusetts Boarding schools in Massachusetts Educational institutions established in 1763 Independent School League Newbury, Massachusetts Private boarding schools in the United States Private high schools in Massachusetts Private preparatory schools in Massachusetts Schools in Essex County, Massachusetts