The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-12
StratfOrd
HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS
 PLANNED FOR STRATFORD. Promoters Hope to Get the Old Strat- ford Academy Which is Now Do-
 ing Service As Church.
Special to The Farmer.)

Special to The Farmer)
 Stratford, Feb. 12-Stratford is one of the oldest towns in the State and it needs an active historical society to gather together the scattered threads of information before they are lost ir- retrievably. The existing histories do not cover the field with anything like the thoroughness which could be done by a local society of residents thor oughly interested in the subject. The people who are about to promote this Stratford Academy which is now the property of the First Baptist church (colored.) When the building was abandoned as a school after IS years the town for a church. It was moved to Lundy's Lane where 1t now stands in much the same condition as when the budding intellects of several gen. erationS blossomed within its walls. Stratford Academy was built before 1886 on Academy H;ll and the locality still bears the name of the famous school which sent its graduates all over the world In the period follow ing the war with Great Britain acad- emies sprung up in many of the small towns of Connecticut It was aimed to be the realization of the thirst of the settlers Of this pS It of the country for knowledge Some of these acad- emies were very successful and wield- ed a great influence over coming events. They were usually supported
  those who attended were obliged to pay tuition fees. The towns usually furnished the buildings. This was the case in Stratford.
 Between 1886 and 1S47 the school was operated with varying success. No teacher remained over year, and the school was in jeopardy until Frederick Sedgwick took charge in the latter year and remained for 25 years, mak- ing a name for the school which placed 1t at the head of the list of schools which prepared for college. Prof Sedgwick was not college man but his success in preparing scholars for entrance to Ya'e College and his requirements as student and scholar were so great that the horonary de- gree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by the faculty of that fnsti u? tion Students came to Stratford from all over this State and from out side the State also. The roster usual believed that this building would be the most logical place to store the priceless relics which are now scat town in private hands. The plans include the return Of the academy building to it's original situation on Academy Hill, and there making it the headquarters of the society.
 STAMFORD BRIEFS.
 Prof. W. B. Kelsey of the local schools, is the organist of St. Johns lodge of Bridgeport ana VII play at : he anniversary exercises this even ing.
 The Holy Name Society of St. James church will hold it's nneetiro newt Sun day afternoon, instead of Tuesday ev- ening Of this week, as usual.
 The children of Harry Hubben of West Broad street, are suffering from an attack of whooping cough.
 Mrs. George w. Spall fell from the top to the bottom of a flight of sta 'rs at her home on East Broa dway, one day last week. and was seriously in- iIred. Although no bones were broken she received many bruises and is still suffering from the shock
 The infant son of Chester Donaldson Is very III with pneumonia at the home of Mrs. Donaldson in Bridge port.
 Miss Edith Lawless of Brooklyn, N Y, is the guest Of MT. and Mrs. liar old c. Lowell, of Harris street
 Albert Opdenbrouw of 355 W. 27th street, New York, formerly of this town, who will be remembered by many here, graduated from Grammar school No. 26, last week, and won the gold medal for scholarship at the school. He has now entered Dewitt Clinton High School where it is ex- nected he will make record With his older brother he was left an or phan in this town and has forged ahead in spite of many handicaps
 The contest for the silver cup offer