Property Overview Inventory List District Map

Adams Academy

LHD boundaries as described are approximate and subject to change. Consult the LHD Study Report on file with the relevant local district commission or municipal authority to verify district boundaries and whether a specific property, particularly one in proximity of a boundary line, is within the district. Also note that LHD boundaries may differ from those of State or National Register Districts.

Town:
Westport
Year of Establishment:
1989
Property Authority:
Historic District Commission
Link to Commission or Municipal Website:
Features:
Building, Open Space
Architectural Style:
Greek Revival
Era:
19th Century

The handsome, well-proportioned, Greek Revival structure is one of the most significant mid-19th century buildings in Westport. The Grecian style was immensely popular for public buildings in the mid-19th century because of its historic associations with the venerable origins of democracy, and Adams Academy is the only such local example. The tympanum of the square-columned portico is set with a distinctive carved lunette with winged Egyptian motifs flanking a semicircular window. The facade is flush sided, and the modern entrance door and transom are framed by a handsome Grecian surround with paneled corner blocks. Twelve-over-twelve windows are used on the side elevations and a modern gabled wing has been added to the rear. A cupola and brackets added in the 1880s have removed. The building was restored in 1961.

The small, Greek Revival school house that because known as Adams Academy, was built c.1835 on former Coley land by the Rev. Thomas F. Davies, minister of the Greens Farms Congregational Church. In 1837 Messrs. Burr, Coley and Davies sold the school to Ebenezer Banks Adams who operated it as a successful boys academy until 1867 when Adams who forced by poor health to retire. The highly respected boys academy, which served as the equivalent of high school, has 637 student during Adams ownership. Adams Academy is the oldest school building in Westport. [NR]

Assessors information retrieved from the website www.visionappraisal.com.
[1] Historic Property information retrieved from the town of website http://www.westportct.gov/.
[2] McCahon Mary E., Adams Academy, Historic Resources Inventory, 1980s, SHPO library, Hartford.
[3] Historic District handbook accessed in the town website [http://www.westportct.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=280].
GIS information retrieved from http://www.westportct.gov/index.aspx?page=538.

Date of Compilation:
12/31/11
Compiler:
Manjusha Patnaik, CT Trust for Historic Preservation