Plainfield Academy was a school in Windham County, Vermont [1] founded in 1770 and closed in 1890. [2] One of the school buildings was documented for the Historic American Buildings Survey. The school attracted students from around New England and was considered one of the best in Connecticut. [3] It educated many students who went on to prominence. Chickasaw Indians were among its pupils. [3]
Ebenezer Pemberton was the school's first principal. [4] Land for the school was given by Lydia German and others. [5] The school was coeducational, teaching men and women together. [6] Teacher and educational reformer Prudence Crandall, who taught nearby, was inspired by its model including the way it avoided corporal punishment. [6]
An image of the school is included in the 1917 publication The Government of the People in the State of Connecticut noting it as one of Connecticut's most significant educational institutions. [7]
After the school closed, two of its buildings (White Hall and Brock Hall) were used for district schools. [4] Rev. Lucien Burleigh was principal of its grammar school from 1855 until 1860. [3] John Witter also served as principal. [5]