Colburn School, building in Massachusetts, United States
Colburn School is a school building in Greek Revival style in Lowell, Massachusetts, built in 1848 and located on Lawrence Street. The two-story brick structure features a triangular gable roof, evenly spaced windows with granite lintels, and decorative details that mimic classical columns.
The school opened in 1848 as Lowell expanded rapidly and neighborhood schools were needed to educate children near their homes. It operated as an elementary school until 1992, then was converted to residential apartments after being added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The school was named after Warren Colburn, a leader at the Merrimack Manufacturing Company who supported the founding of public schools in Lowell. The name reflects the importance the community placed on education and the business figures who drove its growth.
The building sits near the Concord River on the east side of Lawrence Street in south Lowell and is part of Lowell National Historical Park. The former school is now residential housing but can be viewed from outside and explored as part of a walk through the historic neighborhood.
In the 1890s, the school also served as a teacher training facility, contributing to the professionalization of education in the region. This dual role as both an elementary school and a teacher preparation center made it an important hub for educational development in Lowell.
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