History of the Parker family and academy
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." This quote from Frederick Douglass simply states the philosophy by which the Parker family lived. The Parker Academy was a school founded in 1839 in New Richmond, Ohio, by Daniel and Priscilla Parker. Originally known as Clermont Academy, it is believed to be one of the first schools in the United States to offer fully integrated classrooms that were open to anyone that desired an education - no matter the age, gender, race, or ideology. The story of the Parker family and their school needs to be told. The Parkers were pioneers of their time; establishing such a school over twenty years before the Civil War even began. The preparatory school was a safe haven for its numerous students, many of whom were runaway slaves. Despite backlash from pro-slavery advocates, the Parkers were determined to offer a genuine education to any and all students. In a time plagued with racism, slavery, and crippled by the devastating effects of the Civil War, the ability to achieve an education regardless of color or gender was an opportunity unheard of in the United States at that time. In the midst of one of the country’s darkest moments, the Parker Academy was a beacon of hope, freedom, and resistance, in a small town on the Ohio River that divided the North and South.
The Parker family began construction on the one-room schoolhouse in 1838 and the first day of classes were November 4, 1839. Two dorms were also constructed - the men's dorm was built only a few feet away from the schoolhouse while the women's dorm was built just up the hill. The Parker family home was also on the property.
Listen as Greg Roberts goes into more detail about the history of the school and the Parker family.
The Parker family began construction on the one-room schoolhouse in 1838 and the first day of classes were November 4, 1839. Two dorms were also constructed - the men's dorm was built only a few feet away from the schoolhouse while the women's dorm was built just up the hill. The Parker family home was also on the property.
Listen as Greg Roberts goes into more detail about the history of the school and the Parker family.
The Parker ACADEMY Today
Today, the landscape has changed greatly. The original schoolhouse and men's dorm suffered damage during a flood. The buildings were subsequently torn down.
Listen as Greg Roberts describes what the area looked like during the height of the Academy.
Listen as Greg Roberts describes what the area looked like during the height of the Academy.
Historic land markings on the property
The woman’s dormitory as it stands today, now a private residence.
The Parkers family home as it stands today, now a private residence.
