Academy Street School (History)

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Featured here is a photograph of the Academy Street School after the 1893 construction of the stone building. Before this building was created, another wood structure existed that was called the Glassboro Academy. The first section of this building was dedicated on July 5, 1841, and the building was finished in 1843. This building was constructed of wood and was two stories high. The building's second story was not in use until fall 1849 when 204 children attended the school. Local contractor William Pierce built this first section of the School, and it cost $180.

The north wing of the Academy Street School was added in the fall of 1857. The contractor for this portion of the school was Benjamin Pennypacker. The cost of construction was $2,060. The South Wing was added in the summer of 1872 by contractor John Davis for $2,250. This Academy served as the School for the community until 1893. The School did not have central heat, plumbing, or electricity and the water used by the School came from a well. The heat was created using wood or coal stoves, and the light was created using oil lamps. The school grounds also included two outhouses.

The first principles to serve in this School were Robert Hoe, Steven Gilbert, George Gilliard, Thomas Stanger, and Nathan Skinner. Almost all of Glassboro's citizens received their primary education from this School, including the local postmasters and doctors. Most notably, Thomas M. Ferrell received his primary education at this School and later served as a Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

By 1889, the School's enrollment reached 350 children, so it became evident that a larger building was needed. By 1893 the original wood building was moved to the rear of the lot, and a large stone structure (seen in the above photo) was built in the place of the original building. The new building's cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1893, and the contracts for the building cost $15,000. The architects were Moses and King, and the contractors were E. P. Henry and Ira G. Carter. By 1900 the building had electricity. In 1910 the building had gas, and by 1915 the School received running water and drinking fountains, and bathrooms were installed inside.

On February 21, 1917, a fire completely destroyed the Academy Street School. A month earlier, the Auditorium, located directly across Academy Street, was also mysteriously destroyed by fire. The 1917 school fire required the placement of all of the students at various locations throughout the community. The Glassboro Memory Mapping online archive contains several class photographs of displaced students due to the fire.

The structure was rebuilt in 1920 (saving the stone walls) and opened for classes again. In 1974, another fire again struck the Academy Street School. Photos are available within the online archive.

Most recently, the building was renovated for nearly $4.5 million and Rowan University transformed it into Shpeen Hall, named after Alvin Shpeen, the former mayor of Glassboro. It is currently the home to Creative Marketing Strategies and Rowan's Management and Education institutes.

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