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| In 1799, the town voted to divide into school
districts, and 15 were established. This system continued until 1870, when
the town system was adopted. However, this caused dissatisfaction among
those living in the outlying districts, who complained that their scholars
would have to travel long distances to school. Thus, in 1873, the town
voted to return to the district system, and this continued until the town
system was mandated by the state in 1893. This school was built about 1878
to replace the one room brick school formerly on this site. Besides
serving as a school, the upstairs was used for many public meetings,
lectures, etc. From the Chittenden Reporter of May 27, 1885, "The popular
Guy Family Troupe will give an entertainment in Academy Hall next Thursday
evening", and from September 13, 1923, "Forest Camp, M.W.A. [Modern
Woodsmen of America], will give an entertainment and dance at school house
hall Thursday evening... Ice cream and cake will be sold, and a drawing
for a quilt will take place. The Richmond band will furnish music." It was
used until 1958, when the new school opened; increasing enrollment forced
its use for a few more years. It then became home to the town offices, and
was renovated in 1975 to better serve that
use. |
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