Black River Academy
Black River Academy is a former school building in Ludlow, Vermont, now operated as a museum. Built in 1888 in Richardsonian Romanesque style with rounded arches and sturdy stone construction, it spans three floors displaying exhibits about local history and the town's educational past.
The academy was founded in 1835 and served as the high school for Ludlow for more than a century until 1938. The current building, erected in 1888, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 in recognition of its architectural and educational significance to the region.
The name references the nearby river that shaped the region. Today the building serves as a community museum where visitors encounter displays about local education, family histories, and how generations lived and worked in this small town.
The museum is open from June through mid-October on Thursdays through Saturdays, located on High Street in downtown Ludlow. Admission prices are affordable with discounts available for seniors and students, making visits accessible to most guests.
The building has hosted performances such as Love Letters, presented by Linda and George Thomson, bringing together local history and contemporary storytelling. These events demonstrate how the museum brings the past to life through direct experience with community members and their narratives.
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