The Academy Building: Anchored in education

What once served as a one-building schoolhouse for pupils of all ages throughout the area now serves as a step back in time for local students and residents.

Portions of the Academy Building, which sits on the Newby Memorial Elementary School campus, were built as far back as 1860, when the school was used as a high school. By 1883, the building housed students from kindergarten through 12th grade. In 1908, high school students were moved to a new building, leaving the Academy Building with students up through eighth grade.

Once new schools were built in the area, the Academy Building was no longer needed, but local residents rallied to preserve the historic building. It has been restored — most recently completed in 2000 — and was listed on the National Historic Register in 1975.

The building now serves as a local history museum as well as a one-room school recreation. The Mooresville High School Alumni Association maintains the museum and creates one-room school experiences for local students.

For more information, visit https://www.mooresvilleschools.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=23652042&pageId=23792984.

The Academy Building is located at 250 N. Monroe St. in Mooresville.

(Prepared by the Morgan County Leadership Academy Class of 2022 on behalf of the Morgan County Bicentennial Committee)