Monson Academy Archives - Lost New England

Cushman Hall, Monson, Mass

February 11, 2016December 30, 2015 by Derek Strahan

Cushman Hall on Main Street in Monson, around 1904-1920. Image courtesy of the Monson Free Library.

The building in 2015:

This former dormitory is the last surviving purpose-built structure from the old Monson Academy, which operated here in Monson from 1804 until it merged with Wilbraham Academy in 1971 and moved to their campus. Its construction in 1904 was funded by Thaddeus L. Cushman, and it was named in honor of his nephew, Frank Chapin Cushman, who died the year before at the age of 16.

After the school merger, the former dormitory became an apartment building, and it remains in use today. The 2011 tornado destroyed two of the last three surviving academy buildings, and directly across the street from Cushman Hall the Town Hall/former Monson High School building was damaged beyond repair. However, Cushman Hall sustained minimal damage, and today it is still an excellent reminder of the town’s educational history.

Monson Academy, Monson, Mass.

January 24, 2016January 12, 2014 by Derek Strahan

The old Monson Academy building, prior to the 1880s. Photo from Our County and Its People: A History of Hampden County, Massachusetts (1902).

The second Monson Academy building, probably around 1900. Photo from Our County and Its People: A History of Hampden County, Massachusetts (1902).

The same site in 2010:

And one year later, following the June 1, 2011 tornado:

Monson Academy was founded in 1804, when the building in the first photo was built. It served as the main building until 1886, when it was destroyed in a fire. It was replaced by the building in the second photo, which also burned, in 1953. Finally, in 1961, the building in the last two photos, Harper Gumnasium, was built on the site. Barely visible to the right of the Harper Gymnasium is the much-older Holmes Gymnasium, which was built in 1900. Both buildings were destroyed by the June 1, 2011 tornado, and were demolished the following year.

Holmes Gymnasium, Monson, Mass.

January 23, 2016January 11, 2014 by Derek Strahan

The Holmes Gymnasium, part of Monson Academy, taken between 1900 and 1902. Photo from Our County and Its People: A History of Hampden County, Massachusetts (1902).

The building in 2006:

The building in 2011, in the immediate aftermath of the June 1 tornado:

Holmes Gymnasium was built as part of Monson Academy in 1900, on the hill overlooking downtown Monson. Although the academy moved to Wilbraham in 1971 to merge with Wilbraham Academy, the building survived until 2011, when it had its entire upper floor sheared off by the June 1 tornado that devastated West Springfied, Springfield, Monson, Brimfield, and other Western Mass towns. The remains of the building were demolished the following year.