The Brick Academy
(Known also as the original Basking Ridge Classical School)
History
The 1809 Federal-style Brick Academy located in the center of Basking Ridge has been a boys’ private preparatory school, a public school, a meeting hall for several fraternal and benevolent organizations, and the Bernards Township municipal building. It currently serves as the headquarters of The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills.
In the beginning, Dr. Samuel Kennedy, fourth pastor of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church, founded a classical school sometime after he became minister in 1751 in which to educate young men desirous of entering the ministry, law, education, or public service. The school was originally conducted at the parsonage farm located near the church. Around 1762 Kennedy moved the school to a farmstead he purchased four miles south of the village (now known as the Kennedy-Martin-Stelle Farmstead). Several years later Kennedy moved back to the village where he continued to conduct the school until his death in 1787.
In 1795, Kennedy’s successor, Dr. Robert Finley, re-established the private academy, known as the Basking Ridge Classical School, conducting classes first at the Presbyterian parsonage and then in a new frame school building erected near the church. In 1809, with enrollment expanding, Finley organized financing and construction of a new two-story brick building prominently located in the center of the village.
Here local boys as well as boys from New York City and other parts of the East coast were given a classical education and prepared for the College of New Jersey (later renamed Princeton University). Students boarded with local residents, and two buildings still standing near the Brick Academy were used as dormitories. Some of the distinguished graduates included:
- Samuel L. Southard, Governor of New Jersey, Chief Justice of the NJ Supreme Court and United States Senator
- Theodore Frelinghuysen, United States Senator, Whig candidate for Vice President in 1844, and president of Rutgers College
- William Lewis Dayton, United States Senator, Republican candidate for Vice President in 1856, and Minister to France during the Civil War
- Commodore Robert Field Stockton, hero of the Mexican War
The school closed in 1851 and in 1853 was converted into a public school by the newly formed Basking Ridge School District #12. In 1903 classes were moved to the new Maple Avenue School and the following year the building was sold to a fraternal organization which permitted Bernards Township to rent space for public meetings.
Beginning in 1924 the Township rented space for its municipal offices, courtroom facilities and police department. In 1948 the Township purchased the building and continued to use it until 1975, when township activities were moved to the current municipal complex on Collyer Lane.
In 1976 the Brick Academy was leased by the Township to The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills, which uses it for its headquarters and public meetings, and operates a museum and research room there.
Click to enlarge Plaque to read inscription.
Historical Timeline Summary
1797 Basking Ridge Classical School founded by Reverend Robert Finley 1809 Brick Academy is constructed as the home of the Basking Ridge Classical School 1828 Basking Ridge Brick Academy Company incorporated 1853 School District #12 in Basking Ridge opens in the Brick Academy building as a public school. 1904 The Brick Academy is sold to the Ancient Order United Workmen (1904-1925) Junior Order United American Mechanics 1924 Bernards Township rents building for municipal offices 1948 Bernards Township buys building for continued use for municipal offices 1975 Bernards Township government moves to former Astor estate at 1 Collyer Lane 1976 Township leases Brick Academy to The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills 1976 Brick Academy listed on National Register of Historic Places 2008 Dedication and opening of the top floor of the Brick Academy restoration effort. (November 11, 2008) - See Details
The Brick Academy Museum
The Brick Academy houses a museum of local history on its main floor. Featured exhibits include one on early education and a display of artifacts from Lord Stirling’s plantation.
The museum is open Sundays from 2 to 4 except July and August and holidays.
Group tours are are also available by appointment. The main floor is also the location of the Spring and Fall lecture series.
The main floor was restored with grant funding from Somerset County.
The Research Room
The lower floor of the Brick Academy contains a Research Room with collections focusing on local genealogy, local history subjects, and a new collection of documents and photographs pertaining to Bernards Township real estate properties. Also housed there is a library of books on local history.
The Research Room is open the first and third Wednesday of the month from 9:30am-noon or by appointment, and can be accessed by the building side door off the parking lot.
The Research Room was renovated with funding from Bernards Township.
Top Floor Project
The Historical Society is currently using a grant from Somerset County to restore the top floor of the Brick Academy. The aim is to interpret it as a c.1900 classroom with related exhibits on early local education. For more information on this project, feel free to look at the Committee information, our Online Discussion Forum, or feel free to Contact Us directly.
See dedication article posted Nov 11, 2008
Youth Programs
The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills is in the progress of creating a totally new educational experience for children at the Brick Academy. In partnership with the Museum of Crafts and Trades in Madison, the emphasis of the program will be to create an interactive experience for children covering a wide age group.
Information and details will be posted in the near future.
Grounds
The garden beds at the Brick Academy are planted and maintained with the generous assistance of the Basking Ridge Garden Club.
ParkingLimited parking is available in the small parking lot adjacent to the Brick Academy. Additional parking is located along North and South Finley Avenue and in the municipal parking lot accessed from South Maple Avenue.
Hours of Operation:
Museum Open Sundays
2-4pm
(except Summer and Holidays)
Library Open
First & Third Wednesdays
9:30am-12pm
or by appointment.Street Address:
The Historical Society of the Somerset Hills
15 West Oak Street, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Telephone: (908) 221-1770Map/Directions
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