The Academy
“The Academy” is located at 101 Mooreland Avenue in Harrodsburg, KY. It is a two-story, three-bay Greek Revival building erected in 1847. Brick pilasters separate the bays and a massive two-story Doric portico, supported by four Doric columns, projects from the facade. The main entrance door surround is topped with a crowning Greek fret design.
The history of the building begins on June 18, 1845 when Dr. Christopher Columbus Graham deeded the property on Mooreland Avenue to the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church, located at 326 South Main Street. The property had originally been deeded to Dr. Graham by Mercer County in 1833. Dr. Graham was the proprietor of the famous Graham Springs, known as the Saratoga of the south.
The Presbyterian Church was established in October 1783 on a site at Cane Run three miles east of Harrodsburg. The church moved to Harrodsburg in 1816. The lot on which the church still stands was purchased from Lewis Rose, an elder in the church and one of the leading men in the educational and religious life of the community. The original idea was to establish a church and a college under the same control. The concept of a female college was approved by the Session of the church in 1826. Under the supervision of the Rev, John Montgomery, the Presbyterian Church hired James Curry to build the Harrodsburg Female College. This College for young ladies was constructed in 1847. A history of Mercer County states that young ladies from the deep south and as far away as California attended. The Rev. Montgomery served as the first President of the College, in addition to being Pastor of the Church.
After the Rev. Montgomery’s death, it was necessary to have a full-time President, as the school had grown significantly in size. Dr. John Hancock was the next President.
The school experienced great difficulties because of the dissensions and strife of the Civil War. Some records indicate that it did indeed close for a time during the war. Following the Battle of Perryville, October 12, 1862, the College and the Church were both used as a temporary hospital. In 1867, the Rev. W. T. Cooke, a son-in-law of Dr. Graham, took charge of the school, putting new life into it.
The church was divided by the War. A vote was taken on February 24, 1868 to negotiate a property settlement between what as then the Presbyterian Church U. S. (southern) and the Presbyterian Church U. S. A. (northern). On January 1, 1872 the U. S. congregation purchased the Church building and the U. S. A. congregation purchased the College property. The U. S. A. congregation became known as the Assembly Presbyterian Church and continued to operate the Harrodsburg Female College.
It was in August 1878 that the Trustees of the Assembly Church sold the College to the Hon. Daniel J. Curry in satisfaction of a mortgage held by him on the church edifice that had been constructed at 113
East Poplar Street. The Presbyterian Church would not be involved with the Academy building for the next 83 years.
Mr. Curry brought Professor John J. Hogsett to serve as Principal in 1883. He purchased the building and operated a school for boys, known as Hogsett Academy. Princeton University and other leading universities recognized the quality of graduates from Hogsett Academy by allowing them to bypass all entrance exams. Having completed Hogsett Academy was qualification enough for university entrance. In 1890 the Academy was leased to Mr. Crossfield, who operated the school until Mr. Hogsett’s death.
Mr. Hogsett’s heirs sold the Academy (1895?) through the commissioner of the Boyle Circuit Court to Col. Isaac Pearson of Harrodsburg who acted as agent for a corporation known as the Harrodsburg Academy Company. It was soon apparent that the Academy would not be a success under the control of the corporation.
Mr. G. R. Boyer and Mr. Robert Hill bought the Academy (1899?) to undertake the task of establishing a good preparatory school for boys and girls. These gentlemen sold the Academy to Mr. J. C. Acheson. In 1902 he was elected President of Caldwell College in Danville, and the Academy came under its control.
It was in 1902 that Mr. William W. Ensminger became the principal. By 1909 it was one of the largest private schools in Kentucky. Harrodsburg Academy now described itself, “as a classical high school for boys and girls. The faculty is composed entirely of college graduates, all of whom are teachers of experience. The curriculum includes a course of study which will prepare students for a higher education and, at the same time, form the basis for a business or professional career for those who do not contemplate a collegiate course.” The Academy continued to exist until 1910 when a public High School was established in Harrodsburg. Mr. Ensminger later became the first Superintendent of the public school system.
Following its use as a school, it was operated for a period of time as Avalon Inn (also known as, Old Avalon). The proprietors were Mr. and Mrs. Jessie and Mary Rose Cotton. In addition to serving meals, the Inn was available for receptions and special functions. The building was also used as a private residence by Mrs. Hill who then deeded it to family members (Irene and Anne) who then sold the property to the church.
The church re-purchased the property in 1961 from Mr. and Mrs. L. W. and Irene B. Ingram and Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert and Anne B. Vansant for the sum of $40,000. The building was used as apartments and was remodeled in 2002, to bring it up to building code standards. On February 5, 2008 a tornado blew out the southwest brick corner of both the first and second floors, and raised up a portion of the roof on the same corner. After being restored, the Academy was reopened on August 1, 2008. It consists of 2 apartments on each of the two main floors, and one apartment in the basement facing Chiles Street. 
This classic building has been designated a Kentucky Landmark by the Kentucky Heritage Commission.
August 1, 2008
