Historic Name

Academy Hall

Address

200 E Normal Street

Municipality

Edinboro Borough

Tax Parcel

11015046000100

Historic District

Classification

Class 1 (Definitions of Classes)

State Key Number

79932

Historic Function

Education - school

Style

Italianate

Built

1857

Architect

Builder

Barn Type on property

Last Entry Update

7/24/2016

Academy Hall was commissioned by the citizens of Edinboro, Pennsylvania to house the town’s first academy in 1857. However, after the passing of the Normal School Act in that same year, the town planned to use Academy Hall as a normal school. Built by regionally prominent master carpenter, Nathaniel C. Austin, Academy Hall housed the classrooms of the Northwestern Normal School, which was established in Edinboro in 1861. As the second normal school erected in Pennsylvania, it attracted potential teachers from Erie County and surrounding areas. The school’s population grew each year, which led to the expansion of its campus in 1880. Consequently, Academy Hall was moved 200 yards northeast of its original location, and has since remained at its current site. In 1914, after being purchased by the state, the school was renamed Edinboro State Normal School, and by 1927, as the school expanded, it was renamed Edinboro State Teachers College. Eventually the school developed programs outside the field of education, becoming Edinboro State College in 1960. After continuously developing undergraduate and graduate programs, the school received university status in 1983.

Academy Hall’s six rooms were used as classrooms until 1965 when it became the college’s alumni office. Prior to this, Academy Hall had various other names based on the departments who used the classrooms. Such names were Literary Hall, Commercial Hall, and Music Hall. The building became vacant in 1996 and sat empty on the edge of Edinboro University’s campus until 2006 when it underwent extensive renovations. On November 21, 2006, the structure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Academy Hall now houses the university’s admissions office.

Sources:

Academy Hall National Register nomination

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Photo courtesy, Erie County Assessment Office