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Better be glad the walls cannot talk.
Voices arise from the old wooden floors of the historic Academy of Richmond County.
"The whole thing moves," Principal David Robbins said of the mismatched layers of pine, ash and oak at the school off Walton Way. "Late at night, it just talks to you."
If the walls and floors could really talk, they would tell of 225 years of educating some of the most prominent students in Augusta and throughout the region, including Georgia governors.
On Thursday, the academy will celebrate this history with a community kickoff of yearlong festivities to mark its achievement as one of the oldest schools in the nation.
Students in some of the classrooms still sit in antique wooden desks bolted to the flooring and original to the building, which was constructed in 1926.
"You're afraid to redo some of (the desks) because you may sand someone famous's name off of them," Mr. Robbins said.
The school was chartered on July 31, 1783, as an all-boys military academy and was established by the state's first education legislation.
The original site of the academy was on Bay Street where the levee is today, according to Historic Augusta Inc. records. It also served as the county and federal courthouse.
The school building was used as the state capitol for nearly 10 years and was visited by George Washington.
Roy Simkins, of the Class of 1950, said he recalled thumbing a ride to the academy from his Beech Island home. His father and grandfather both attended Richmond Academy.
The military tradition remained strong. Reserve Officers' Training Corps was mandatory for all students, and the stern discipline resembled nothing found in public schools today, he said.
"The teachers -- sometimes they would physically correct students," said Mr. Simkins, who serves as a trustee of the school. "They deserved respect; they demanded respect; and they got respect."
Trustees continue to ensure that the school stays true to its mission of educating children. They were established in the first education legislation in Georgia to serve essentially as the first government of Augusta.
The group of seven were responsible for selling land, including that of the British crown seized after the American Revolution; constructing a church; designing the city and establishing a school.
Although their responsibilities have waned, the tradition of the trustees has been passed down from generation to generation. They continue to own the academy buildings on Telfair Street, which also includes the old Medical College of Georgia facility.
"This will go on and on forever," author and historian Alethia Nowell said of the trustees. "Only when someone dies do they bring someone new in."
Along with Thursday's kickoff event, the academy plans celebrations throughout the year, including homecoming in October and a ball in May.
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The Academy of Richmond County 225th Anniversary Celebration opening event
WHEN: 10 a.m. Thursday
WHERE: The Academy of Richmond County, 910 Russell St.
BITS OF HISTORY
- George Washington visited in 1790.
- The U.S. Constitution was ratified in Georgia at the original school.
- Exams were at one time given orally in front of the community.
- Out-of-towners lived in dormitories at the school.
- The Junior College of Augusta was housed at the academy from 1926-1958.
Sources: Historic Augusta Inc., Alethia Nowell, David Robbins
Comments
Better be glad the walls cannot talk.
Is is possible to market this history and these historic sites a little more? People are always talking about how bad things are in Augusta and that the city doesn't have a claim to fame other than The Masters. Many don't realize that there are many people throughout the world who appreciate well marketed, well maintained historical sites. If marketed correctly, the sites of ARC as well as other historic places could add to the city's appeal by tourists who usually only venture to Augusta once a year for golf. A few TV adds and you could have a major attraction.
Right on King James
I toured ARC a few years ago after millions had been spent renovating it. It is still way out of date, just an old building with second-rate computer, laboratory, science, communication and classroom facilities. Even the H&V system is terrible. It would have been far better to start over with a 21st century, modern facility built on the old drill field and at completion demolish the old relic. Students graduating from ARC today are already behind because the school is way behind the times.
Actually, there has been very little physical change at ARC since the 1950's.
I graduated from ARC in 1979... this school has so much history in it that it would be a shame to replace it. I can remember, in the days before air conditioning, sitting in one of the windows during class just to get some cool air. I think any graduate of ARC is proud of this school and it's history. It needs to be on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Congratulations to ARC! What an Augusta institution... it is such a shame that we only hear about the negatives. ARC has had some fine graduates in recent years. They are promoting community service and instilling a sense of Internationalism with the IB programme. Too bad we never hear about it! Hopefully, ARC will celebrate many more milestones and the community will support this historic institution!
There's also another historic site everyone should recognize. We have statues of James Brown and Bobby Jones but nothing of Ty Cobb.
ghtty: most insane thing is that not so flattering statute of the convicted felon, wife abuser who couldn't stop spreading his seed all over the country. He was a felon with an overinflated ego- nothing more. father of soul- puhleeaase.
The walls of the Columbia County judicial center cannot talk, but they surely can listen!
My sentiments exactly, gottabquiet. Why not emulate more accomplished people.
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