River Arts Center

River Arts Center. Originally Peoples Academy. Before the Civil War, most public education in Vermont was in one-room schools. Any Morristown student wishing to attend high school had to go to Johnson, Bakersfield or a distant boarding school. In 1847, the village of Morrisville purchased a tract of land located between present-day Park and Main Streets for use as a common. Despite opposition from wealthier members of the community, a group of Morristown citizens raised $1500 to build the first Peoples Academy. Sometimes called the “Poor People's Academy,” it was originally located on the site of the current playground behind the Civil War monument. In September 1847, the academy opened its doors to 84 students from 11 towns. , The building is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture popular in the decades before the Civil War. The gable front with wide corner pilasters and continuous cornice forming a triangular pediment creates the “classical temple” form. , In 1874, to make way for a new high school building, the building was moved to its current location, where it housed several businesses. In 1924, Lamoille Grange #233 purchased the building as their grange hall. , In 2005, River Arts purchased the building for use as a multi-generational community arts center and carefully restored the building to preserve its historic integrity. , [Caption] Photograph ca. 1860s