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The Spencertown Academy (Berkshire Magazine) At first glance, the tiny hamlet of Spencertown, New York, may look like a typical New England village. The Presbyterian Church built in 1790, the pleasant village green, and the country store with its home-baked pies and staples all seem to reflect the quaintness of the New England countryside. What sets the little village apart is the Spencertown Academy, an inspiring Greek Revival structure that overlooks the town. Conceived and built by Timothy Woodbridge in 1847 as a private school, the Academy is now the home of a performing arts center whose reputation has extended far beyond the few square miles that Spencertown encompasses. Woodbridge himself was an extraordinary man. Grandson of Jonathan Edwards and cousin of Aaron Burr, he was born in West Stockbridge in 1787. Although he lost his sight when he was seventeen, he graduated from Williams College and went on to prepare for the ministry at the Theological Seminary in Andover. Eventually settling across the border in New York State, he was pastor of St. Peter's Church when he conceived the idea of a private, coeducational Academy to teach "classical and practical subjects." From 1845 to the mid-1860s, the Academy was a well-known school attracting students from as far away as Germany, Hawaii, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. After Woodbridge's death, the Academy was a public elementary school until 1970. It is understandable that when the school was closed and Spencertown children had to take the bus to Chatham Central School, the loss of the small two-room school with its family-like atmosphere was felt deeply. Many Spencertown residents still recall walking miles to school, being promoted from the second to the third grate by moving back a row, and turning out a student newspaper by hand with the help of some carbon paper. The affection long-time Spencertown residents feel for the Academy and its past provides one answer to the current Academy's success. When the school was closed, the building could easily have become a white elephant. Instead, with the residents' solid support, the town bought the building from the School District for one dollar and formed a committee to maintain it. The result was the Spencertown Academy Society, incorporated in 1972 to preserve the building architecturally and historically and to provide a community center. The building was declared a National Historic Site in 1973, and a matching grant from the Historic Preservation Trust started it on its way toward renovation. The other reason for the Academy's success lies with the creative energy of "newcomers"—i.e., those who have weekend and summer homes in the area or those who have settled recently in the community. Their support of the Academy comes not from a sense of nostalgia, but rather a feeling of delight that this unique place exists at their doorsteps. The joint volunteer efforts of both groups—long-time residents and recent arrivals —is what makes the Spencertown Academy Society work. ...One of the advantages of the new gallery is that it can be dismantled very easily to convert the space for other uses by the community. Although a great deal of artistic activity goes on there, the Board of Directors never loses sight of the fact that the Academy is a community center. The Academy is not only chamber and folk music: it is also free movies, a day camp, a "winter dinner," puppet shows, a Christmas bazaar, workshops on everything from writing to yoga, and chances to meet neighbors like Rubert Murdoch, Christian Steiner, William Herrick, and Mabel Mercer in the popular "Conversations with Neighbors" series. Ultimately, the Academy is people. Without the special commitment and
involvement of people, the structure would stand empty. Its continued
existence as a community center and its growing reputation as a performing
arts center reveal that Spencertown is indeed more than a typical New
England village.
One College Resolves the Education/Training Controversy Which college? Regents College Degrees of The University of the State of New York. How? Simply. Regents College Degrees provides a degree package—one that combines the training your employees receive from you and the education they receive from college courses and elsewhere. Let your training program work for you in more ways than one by giving it academic recognition through Regents College Degrees. If it is evaluated by PONSI, it can carry college credit, or employees can take the knowledge gained and earn credit through examinations. Here's how it works: Regents College students accumulate all college-level learning on a single transcript by combining local college course work, evaluated industry training, military training, and proficiency tests. When the completed package meets degree requirements, they can earn a fully accredited degree from The University of the State of New York. The advantages of Regents College Degrees for you and your employees include: Flexibility for them and no lost productivity to you. Students study on their own hours and don't need time off from work. Portability for them and ease of mobility for you. You can send them on the road when you need to: they carry their studies wherever they go. Low cost for them and for you. If you think college degrees for your employees cost a fortune in tuition assistance, look at Regents College Degrees—and think again. Regents College fees are reasonable and a value to company and employee. Specially designed services tailored to your company's—and your employees'—needs. The services we provide evolve from what you want: it all adds up to a partnership. As a partner with Regents College Degrees you'll receive advising services for academic planning, on-site consultation, and feedback on your employees' progress. Remember, too, if you already have an arrangement with a local college, you can add Regents College Degrees to it: a three-way partnership means increased advantages for all. We encourage employees to take local college courses: combining courses with other ways to earn credit (and putting it all together on a USNY transcript), they earn a degree that truly reflects their interests and skills.
Columbia County Habitat for Humanity... On The Move Columbia County Habitat for Humanity is on the move. Begun in 1993 with a small steering committee, it is now a full-fledged affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International with a Board of Directors and nonprofit status. After building its first house in the Village of Chatham, the organization has gone on to build or rehabilitate homes in both urban and rural communities. Moving from projects in the northern to the southern part of the county, Columbia County Habitat is truly becoming a county-wide organization. Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International seeks to eliminate poverty housing from the world and make decent shelter a matter of conscience. Working with volunteer labor and donated funds and materials, Habitat for Humanity joins in partnership with people in need to build simple, basic houses. Affiliates like Columbia County Habitat work at the local level throughout the United States and abroad. Many families in Columbia County live in inadequate, substandard housing. They cannot afford to own their own home, and they cannot afford higher rent. Habitat for Humanity offers a door into home ownership for families who might otherwise never be able to own a home. Every house built or renovated is completed at no profit to Habitat for Humanity. Houses are sold at cost to low-income families and financed through long-term, interest-free mortgages held by Habitat. In this way, the dream of home ownership becomes a reality. If You'd Like to Own a Home Through Habitat You may qualify as a Habitat homeowner if you:
To Apply for Home Ownership... Write for an application to Columbia County Habitat for Humanity, P.O.
Box 102, Chatham, NY 12037, or call 392-9286. Habitat for Humanity follows
and endorses the Fair Housing Act, which states that it is illegal to
discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, handicap,
family status, or national origin. To the Weekender/Second Home Owner: As one of the many part-time residents of Columbia County, you know the attractions of the area. Through Habitat you can help keep it affordable for everyone. As neighbors, you can help strengthen the community by contributing to it. You are encouraged to get involved at any level. Building Community Here and Abroad... Habitat for Humanity International has built or renovated more than 100,000 houses worldwide since 1976. International affiliates are working in 56 countries from Antigua/Barbuda to Zimbabwe. When you give to Columbia County Habitat, you also help build houses in other countries. Columbia County Habitat sends 10 percent of its income each year to affiliates in Nicaragua. Through building affordable houses, Habitat breaks down barriers and forms partnerships among people from all walks of life. Habitat is about building community while building houses. Ways to Participate You can help build our community through Habitat in a variety of ways:
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian organization that welcomes and encourages people of all faiths and backgrounds to participate in its grassroots community efforts. |
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Site contents © 2007 Rebecca McBride
