Atkinson Academy, public school in the United States
Atkinson Academy is a school building with a two-story wooden structure featuring a distinctive cupola and hip roof. The main section displays seven front divisions with central pilasters and a pediment, complemented by modern additions that extend behind the original frame.
The academy was founded in 1787 by Reverend Stephen Peabody, General Nathaniel Peabody, and Dr. William Cogswell, initially for boys but accepting girls from 1791. The original building burned in 1802, was rebuilt in 1803, and remains one of the oldest continuous school structures in the nation.
The school carries the town's name and symbolizes the community's identity and value for education. Local residents continue to gather here for school activities and events that reinforce their sense of belonging.
The building sits on a quiet street in Atkinson's town center and is easily walkable. It is open to visitors during certain days and as part of local history tours, with an informational plaque nearby explaining its background.
The building stands out as one of the oldest school structures in the nation where boys and girls studied together from the start. Visitors often pause at the thought that children have learned in these same rooms for over two centuries, lending the place historical depth.
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