Uxbridge Academy

Infobox_nrhp | name =Uxbridge Common Historic Districty
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
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built =1818-1880's
added = November 7, 1983
governing_body = Private
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refnum=83004135 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

The Uxbridge Academy was part of what now is known as the "Uxbridge Common District" in downtown Uxbridge, Massachusetts. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other historic buildings including some on the national historic register in this district include the Uxbridge Free Public Library, the Deborah A. Wheelock House, a blacksmith shop, the Bank Building, the First Congregational Church, and the Unitarian Church. The whole District is on the Historic Register, along with some other Historic Districts in this town including "Wheelockville Historic District", Linwood Historic District, and "The Blackstone Canal District".

History

The Uxbridge Academy was a prestigious New England preparatory institution in the early 1800s which graduated a number of prominent citizens. Among them were Marcus Spring, Colonel John Capron, Moses Taft, George Boardman Boomer, and Richard Sayles. Famous Historian and writer, William Augustus Mowry wrote a historical sketch about Uxbridge Academy. Joshua Mason Macomber, A.M., M.D., was the principal of Uxbridge Academy from 1840-1850.cite book|last=Mowry|first=William Augustus|authorlink=|title="The Uxbridge Academy, a Brief History with a Biographical Sketch of J. Mason MacComber, MA, MD, Principal"|publisher=Everett Press|location=Boston|date=1897|ISBN=] This was said to be the "Palmy" period of the academy under the direction of this successful educator. The Uxbridge Academy developed a widespread reputation and during his tenure attracted hundreds of students from communities in at least six states.cite book |last= Chapin |first= Judge Henry |authorlink= |coauthors= |title= Address Delivered at the Unitarian Church in Uxbridge; 1864 |publisher= Charles Hamilton Press (Library; from Google Books) |date= 1881 |location= Worcester, Mass. |pages= |url= |doi= |id= |isbn= ] The building that housed Uxbridge Academy still stands on the Town Common in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The Uxbridge academy began in 1818 as a secondary school in an upstairs location.cite web|publisher=Blackstone Daily.com|title="Uxbridge/Walking Tour"|url=http://www.blackstonedaily.com/Outdoors&Nature/WTuxbridge.htm|accessdate=2007-11-21] .

The Uxbridge Common Historic District

The historic town of Uxbridge, first settled in 1662, has more than 60 houses of the Federalist period and is a repository of unique early American history. The "Uxbridge Common District" includes a number of buildings from different periods and architectural designs. These include the Uxbridge Academy, 1818, which is a Federalist style building and now houses the Masonic Lodge, The Congregational Church, rebuilt here in the 1830's from its original site across the street, the Public Library 1870's, the blacksmith shop, 1780's, The Bank Building, 1880's, The Unitarian Church, The Uxbridge Inn, 1882, some older homes including "The Daughters of the American Revolution House", circa 1769, which is known as the "Deborah A. Wheelock House". These are each part of or next to what is considered the "Uxbridge Common Historic District". Many older buildings in the town are of the Federalist architecture style, but there is also Georgian architecture, Italianate architecture, Greek Revival architecture, Gothic architecture, Queen Anne architecture, Late Victorian architecture and more.

See also

* List of Registered Historic Places in Uxbridge, Massachusetts

References