A town’s buildings reflect its residents’ needs and priorities, and very often, the beneficence of those with means and a vision for the future. New Ipswich has buildings that have weathered the years as places to gather and learn.
The First Academy Building
The First Academy Building was built in 1789, with the land for the building donated by the Farrar family. It was occupied as a dwelling house as of Oct. 1, 1907. The main part of the house remained largely unchanged, except for the removal of a small belfry and the relocation of a door and window.
The New Ipswich Library
The Library building was erected in 1895. It was built entirely with money raised by entertainment of various kinds and gifts of $100 or smaller sums.
In the early days of the library, Mrs. Hubbard of Manchester gave $4,000 for the purchase of books. Other early contributions that helped form the collection were $2,500 from the estate of William Boynton, a former trustee, for books and magazines, and $500 from the late Mrs. Sawyer of Arlington, Mass. The town originally gave $250 each year for the library expenses.
Appleton Academy
Appleton Academy was founded in 1789 as the New Ipswich Academy as a college-preparatory school, the second-oldest of its kind in the state. It was later renamed Appleton Academy for benefactor Samuel Appleton, and served as a high school for the area. The present building was erected in 1853. At its height, the academy enrolled up to 200 pupils, but membership declined with the increased popularity of public high schools.
Appleton Academy closed in 1868, after which it served as a private preparatory school, and then as the Appleton Elementary School for the Mascenic School District. It was sold in 2018 and is now a private residence.
Preston-King House
This Georgian house was built by John Preston I in 1764. Preston was a doctor, as was his son, who also shared his name. Preston was also a member of the first Board of Selectmen and a member of the Convention for framing the State Constitution.
New Ipswich Congregational Church
The Congregational Church was built in 1903 as a replacement for the 1813 Meeting House, which had been built on the same site. That Meeting House was the fourth built for the town, and was destroyed when lightning struck the building, causing a fire in 1902. Legend goes that the collection for a new Meeting House was started the day the former Meeting House was destroyed.
New Ipswich Center Schoolhouse
Currently owned and occupied by the New Ipswich Historical Society, the New Ipswich Center Schoolhouse was built in 1829 as a schoolhouse on Main Street. There were up to 92 pupils in its two rooms, with one door for both rooms. The size, combined with its proximity to the road, resulted in excessive noise and dust, ultimately leading to the school’s closure in 1860. The building was then used as a blacksmith shop. It was acquired by the Historical Society in 1939 and has been used to store town artifacts since.
Old Town Hall
While now called the “Old” Town Hall, it was built as a replacement town hall in 1817, and served as a combination Town Hall and private academy, with funds provided by the town and trustees of New Ipswich Academy. The building construction was directed by Deacon Nathaniel Gould, using salvaged materials from the defunct 1770 Meeting House. It initially had a full second floor which provided the academy with a lecture room, library and laboratory. The town renovated the building in 1869, removing the tower and belfry. The building is still owned by the town, though it is not currently in use.