Governors Academy - Milestone Yearbook (Byfield, MA)

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S X X X X X7 X N B l708f -2 x ' N. at ' X ' I ' 1 f' 1 -' .f . f rf , x, xxx XVXX, X NX ck N 1. A ' ,ff f V 7 X .,- XS X , X QXX X N X ,H .K I If , J f ff- 13 ,fri , - A l - f , - ' f xx, -S 4 X xlg X ' xr. sg .V K X 1 ,f x,?. 1. 6 X r , L X X Cx ,lg - N N A . U . - Y V , .N ,X . , X ae N .V ,T , -V -s 1 K .- 'Q-v 7 : 5- 'xiao V T f ' P. TX H ' I Y I ' ' .. , Moody on the same site. A long barn, which was later moved alongside Moody and taken down as recently as 1929, was then located in about the position of the parking space near the present Newbury war memorial. The Mansion House lawn presented a very different view from what it does now. At about the center of the area of grass was the third Schoolhouse with its front doors pointing west-ward. A fairly high bell tower rose at the west end. It is still a mystery how the pupils were able to reach the bell, turn it upside down and pour water into it in order that the water might freeze and cripple it during the cold weather. The lawn was surrounded by a wicket fence and the athletic field extended from the corner of the milestone to a point near the present junior hockey pond, which was then only marshy ground. This small field, compared with the modern facilities, provided an opportunity for baseball contests in which Mr. Dum- mer, and Mr. Kilvert, and even Mrs. Ambrose took part. The stirring games of those days had a much more narrow compass in which to transpire-a good hit to left field would land against the Schoolhouse, and a foul might even reach the Mansion House. A tennis court of somewhat shrunken proportions was placed be- tween the Mansion House and the Commons building, and directly at the back of the old Schoolhouse. This ancient court was a popular spot. It is easy to imagine that the students then had to wait even longer than they do now to get an oppor- tunity for playing. Those who were waiting for a game had the chance, however, to amuse themselves on the swing, which hung from the old Sycamore, still fighting for life near the center of the lawn, and a fellow tree, now no longer with us. There was, of course, no building where Parsons now stands. Parsons was, in fact, contructed from the old Schoolhouse in the middle of the lawn. Consequently there was no road leading from the milestone around to the south side of Commons. The other roads which branch from the intersection at the Newbury memorial were, however, all in existence. The County or back,' road on which today the cross country races take place was constructed in 165-1 at the same time as Thurlow's Bridge, the road from the Academy leading past Mrs. Ambrose's was built in 1722, and the one which leads down by the junior hockey pond and eventually to the turnpike was made in 1831. The path by Degen House, which is now overgrown in the woods, was then also out ofuse. It had been constructed in 1710 and discontinued in 1856. Not only was the appearance of the campus different in the years between 1872 and 1885, but two ofthe buildings, the Mansion House and the Commons, were used for different purposes from what they are now. The former was solely a dormitory. It had been one most of the time since Master Moody and his brother resided there. The latter, before 1885, was known as the Preceptor's House, and was not used for any other purpose than for the benefit of the teacher. The transverse section was added to this building in 188-1, and where the rear part is now there was a carriage house with its doors facing south. There was no porch on the Commons until after 1900. 5 -. , J -' LV, , .- -. , , 15' 7.37, 1 '.,-Mol 'my' if' 'Y Q3fj.Ll xi' , X ffl, ' 'Q N- I 5. ,. 9

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c N , K. x x Xxxr fl 1 f j 'X' If f' ,, f' if' , 5 R V .X .X X X , H I Z 2 3 X Sv a Y sri, X g X x X X X -7 M ff I 1 , ., 1 , ' W -' 1 1 X tv -Q . .A . as 5 3 f F fe an ,f X R is ,X 55, - X t , . . . I f 1, ' D' , . xxx - . -- -s ..B.... Q f f M -qwnly. , - 'U-' i : it l7O8fTN -1 ' ' l'1 ' P. T ' i V 1 As may be expected the atmosphere of the Academy was somewhat different fifty or sixty years ago. It is true that it was then, as it is now, situated in a most beautiful part of the country. But then it was even more in the country. In a catal- ogue of a somewhat early date the following description is found, and may be used to apply with veracity to the period with which we are dealing: The spot is salubri- ous, retired, and unusually free from objects of distraction and temptation. The people did not have the feeling, as we do, that they were quite near Boston. In closing it may be noted that the scholars were more apt to spend their after- noons in the countryside, or in sailing on the Parker River, or perhaps in having hare and hound races over the frozen marshes, than they were to participate in organized athletics. They did not find Sundays so convenient, however, as we do, for walks into the country and for other forms of amusement. There was still some of the atmosphere which produced the following dictum in the catalogue of 1840: Walking in the street or field for amusement on the Sabbath, and everything else, in conversation or conduct, inconsistent with the solemnity of the day, is strictly forbidden. A MBROSE HOUSE is thought to be constructed of parts of two distinct houses of different dates. One part is supposed to be a section ofa house built by john Wicom between 1682 and 1700. The more recent part is supposed to have been built by Lemuel Noyes, perhaps at about the time of the Revolution. The land on which Ambrose House stands was at first owned by Richard Dummer, cousin of William Dummer. THE FARMHOUSE BARN was probably constructed in I806. It was first placed near the present parking space by the Newbury war memorial and moved about 1885 to a position just northeast of Moody House. It was taken down in 1929. The remains ofits foundation may still be seen. THE COMMONS BUILDING was built in 1837 during the preceptorship of Samuel Adams for the benefit of the teacher. The transverse wing was added in 1884, and the section at the east end in 1906. A carriage house, constructed in 1838, stood where the section at the east end does now. The porch was added to the front of this building between IQO8 and 1910, not as a porch, however, to begin with, but as a porte-cochere. DEGEN HOUSE is found on land which passed from Joseph Noyes in 1776 to Margaret Pierpont, widow ofjonathan Pierpont, with the provision that she build a house. This Mrs. Pierpont's name has been connected with the Madam Pierrepont, a sister of William Dummer, who operated a school in the Mansion House before the opening of the Academy in 1763. DUNCAN HOUSE is the school's most recent dormitory. It was constructed in 1934, and was named in memory of the Honorable James H. Duncan, grandfather of Mr. James Duncan Phillips, president of the board of trustees. THE scHooL GARAGE was builtin 1927. VISHE GoLF coURsE was made in 1915. LANG GYMNASIUM was built in 1922. The gymn was made possible through a gift of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Lang of Melrose. Mr. Lang was a trustee of the Academy from 1922 to 1937. L.. .-. -1--1-41 f, .. IO Z