Set back on a hill overlooking University of Southern Maine (USM) Gorham campus, the Academy Building is a two-story wood frame building topped by a cupola. The Academy Building was built as a college preparatory school for boys. It went through several changes before becoming home to the coeducational Gorham Seminary in 1856. This school closed in 1877 and the building was leased to the state for use as part of the normal college (now USM) that had been built around it. The facade features an elaborate entry porch supported by four Doric columns and topped by a railing. The corners feature wooden quoins, carved pieces of wood meant to imitate cut stone. A centered gable section protrudes from the hipped roof, supported by pilasters. A square cupola sits in the center of the roof with an open belfry and a wooden spire. The Academy Building currently houses art classes for the University. It is a contributing property to the Gorham Historic District.
Listed: 1973 (individually), 1978 (historic district)
For more information: https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=0e3cd8d8-6539-4a25-bafa-091aeb6efed7
https://usm.maine.edu/library/specialcollections/campus-descriptions-gorham