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.