Education Programs at Portersville Academy

Amos Clift built Portersville Academy in 1839, and for nearly 50 years the building did yeoman service as Groton, Connecticut's Fifth District School.  The two-story, Greek Revival structure, was originally located just north of present day Union Baptist Church.  The town of Groton moved it to its present location in 1887 where it became the First District Hall. 

In the mid 1950s the town stopped using the building and it fell into disrepair.  In 1976 the Mystic River Historical Society bought and restored the schoolhouse, and in 1991 furnished the second floor classroom with reproduction period desks built by members of the Society.

Today Portersville Academy once again opens its doors to students.  Local schools are invited each year to send their students for our educational programs, specially designed to enrich children's historical understanding of our area and to be fun as well.  Many hundreds of young students from local school systems, public, private and parochial, have enjoyed Field Trips to Portersville Academy for the past fourteen years.

Two-hour morning Field Trips are offered on a first come, first served basis each spring and fall, with programs suitable to the ages and interests of young students.  Typical programs include both lectures taught in 19th century style by costumed school masters and mistresses, and hands on activities resulting in articles that the students can keep. 

Spring 2008

This year students will be traveling back to the 1850's.

Grades 1 and 3 are invited to take a field trip to Portersville Academy to learn how and what students learned over 150 years ago.  From May 8 through June 10, they will learn about home life in the mid-19th century by experiencing a variety of activities, including modeling clothes of the period.  They will also have the opportunity to participate upstairs in the classroom, practicing arithmetic and reading exercises (such as those in the McGuffey Reader) and, perhaps, being disciplined in the appropriate historical manner.

All classes are 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.  We can accommodate two classes of each grade at one time.

Cost is $2.00 per student ($1.00 for Portersville Academy Restoration Fund; $1.00 for program expenses).  Two adults are required with each class (no charge).  Aides with special needs children are also not charged.  Additional adults are $2.00 each.  Registration will remain open until class slots are filled.

These programs are offered only to school classes.  Teachers or other school personnel should contact us for more information, or to register, at info@mystichistory.org.