Lancaster County Academy Records

The Lancaster County Academy was located at 109-115 N. Lime St., Lancaster. The academy was incorporated on 14 April 1827 by an Act of Incorporation passed in the Pennsylvania Legislature. The amount of $3,000. was appropriated at the time of incorporation. The appointment of a principal and the construction of the Academy building both occurred in the Summer of 1827.

The first classes met on 23 October 1827 in a private home on W. King St. since construction on the N. Lime St. building had not been completed. Instruction in both classical and mathematical departments were offered.

Principals of the Academy: 1827 ‐ Feb 1829 James P. Wilson, Jr. Apr ‐ May 1829 Joel Erwin Sum 1829 ‐ Dec 1830 Robert
Birch Oct 1831 ‐ ? John B. Patterson Jun 1832 ‐ ? Dr. James Power Aug ‐ Oct 1833 John Keenan Oct 1833 ‐ Spg (?) 1836 Rev. Charles A. Van Vleck Spg 1836 ‐ 1839 Rev. Aaron A. Marcelus

With the departure of principal Rev. Aaron Marcelus in 1839, classes were never resumed.

Franklin College purchased the Academy building in Aug 1840 for $593.34. In 1837 the Academy building was also used by the Lancaster Conservatory of Art and Sciences and by the City Lyceum. For a history of the Academy see: Worner, William Frederic. "Lancaster County Academy." Papers read before the Lancaster County Historical Society. v.36:2. 1932. pp. 83-100.