New London Academy, Forest, School building in Forest, Virginia.
New London Academy in Forest is a school building from the late 1700s located at 1133 Academy Lane that displays architecture typical of educational institutions from that era in Bedford County. The structure remains standing and shows distinctive design features from its original construction period.
The academy was chartered by the Virginia General Assembly in 1795 and operated as a private school for boys until it became co-educational during the 1870s. This shift reflected broader changes in American education toward more inclusive schooling.
The institution transformed from a private classical academy to a public school, reflecting the evolution of American educational systems through different periods.
The building sits on a rural road and is best reached by car, with Academy Lane being a country route rather than a main thoroughfare. Since this is a historic landmark, visiting hours and access may vary depending on the season or any special events.
The school's original funding came from local lotteries held between 1797 and 1798, an unusual way to finance education at that time. Thomas Jefferson's grandson studied here, which shows how far the academy's reputation extended beyond its immediate area.
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