PHILLIPS ACADEMY
ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS

AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE PROPERTY
(INCLUDING ABBOT ACADEMY)

by

Robert A. Domingue

 

Copyright © 1990
by Robert A. Domingue

RAD Publishing Co.
ISBN No. O-9620726-2-1

Reproduced with permission.

Hardcopy version available
from the Author

Robert A. Domingue
59 Greenwood Rd.
Andover, MA 01810

Printed by:
The Hampshire Press
900 Main Street
Wilmington, MA 01887

Cover Sketch by Heather J. Domingue

 

PREFACE

Sporadically throughout the existence of Phillips Academy, historians have chronicled various aspects of the school in a number of excellent reference books. These efforts, however, have all dealt primarily with the story of an academic institution --- its principles, its philosophies and its peoples. Any coverage of the physical plant of the Academy has been almost incidental or was presented to demonstrate the efforts of an individual person or a particular drive. There were some picture books of Phillips Academy about the turn of the century, as was then the vogue, and then again at the time of the sesquicentennial. These, however, contained no text or explanatory material.

The various historians --- Woods, McKeen, Carpenter, Fuess, Paradise, Allis, Harrison and Lloyd --- have done their job well. This work is intended to complement theirs to most audiences and perhaps to reach some new audiences by presenting the history of the physical plant of the Academy itself. The students at the Academy change at a frequency cycle of approximately four years; the duty cycle of the faculty members is a bit longer. The buildings themselves remain for years, for decades and, in some instances, for centuries. It is the physical plant itself which is known to all Academy Alumni --- it is the common thread. Each Alumnus has his memories of his life at the school --- but they all share the same common base --the buildings and the land of Phillips Academy.

This book tracks the growth of the Academy from its simple one-room school house to the present day facilities. It is profusely illustrated to heighten the understanding of the subject as well as to trigger memories in the mind of the reader. It is intended to be historical in nature and yet a pleasurable browsing book. It should serve as a credible reference document but not one which is only opened for term paper assignments. Enjoy!!!

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

There are many individuals who contributed to this book and should receive some recognition. Unfortunately, most of those who contributed significantly have passed to the great hereafter --- those who took the many wonderful pictures of days gone by and those who recorded the facts of bygone years so that we of the current generation can learn of and appreciate the efforts of those who have gone before us.

Of today's era, however, I want to express my extreme gratitude to Mrs. Ruth Quattlebaum for her wonderful assistance in making available and leading me through the archives of Phillips Academy. There is a wealth of information and material within those archives and without a guide, it would have taken years to find and gather the pertinent information. Ruth has an excellent understanding of the material that is available and knows how to help when required --- she can truly be called "A President's Archivist".

I also wish to express my appreciation for the faith and trust bestowed in me and my efforts by Arthur Spellenberg, proprietor of The Hampshire Press. Without the full backing of an excellent printer, an author/publisher cannot proceed. His confidence launched me into the research project required to produce this work. 

 

I would like to dedicate this book to my parents, Robert P. and Jennie M. Domingue, who set the goal of a Phillips Academy education in front of me, helped me strive to achieve that goal and sacrificed that I might be able to realize it.

 

                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Introduction --- The Land Assets of Phillips Academy

II. Academy "Main" Buildings

The First --- The Carpenter's Shop
The Second --- The Second Classroom
The Third --- The Brick Academy
The Fourth --- The Stone Academy
The Fifth --- The Main Academy Building
The Sixth --- Samuel Phillips Hall

III. Room and Board Evolution

Latin and English Commons
"Commons" Boarding Houses
Early Boarding Houses
The Cottages

IV. The Secret Societies

V. The Northeast Quadrant --- The Great Quadrangle

A. Early Days
B. Seminary Development
C. Academy Development
D. Rabbit Pond Area
E. Other Items of Interest

VI. The Northwest Quadrant --- The Cornerstone of Phillips Academy

A. Early Days
B. Academy Development
C. Other Items of Interest

VII. The Southwest Quadrant --- The Residence Area

A. Early Days
B. Seminary Development
C. Academy Development
D. Other Items of Interest

VIII. The Southeast Quadrant --- The Athletic Area .

A. Early Days
B. Academy Development
C. New East Campus
D. Other Items of Interest

IX. Abbot Academy

A. Land Acquisition
B. Boarding Philosophy
C. Academy Buildings --- Early Days
D. Academy Buildings --- Twentieth Century
E. Other Items of Interest

X. Picture Credits

0-99
100-199
200-299
300-383

XI. Bibliography


Chapter One: Introduction