Maine Memory Network

First Baptist Church, Skowhegan, ca. 1880

Contributed by: Skowhegan History House Date: 1842 Location: Skowhegan Media: Stereograph

Student Exhibit: Bloomfield Academy

In 1842, the new Bloomfield Academy was constructed in Skowhegan. The new brick building replaced the very first Bloomfield Academy, a small wooden building that had been built in 1814 and served as the high school until 1871. After that, it housed elementary school classes until 1980.

Port of Portland's Custom House and Collectors of Customs

The collector of Portland was the key to federal patronage in Maine, though other ports and towns had collectors. Through the 19th century, the revenue was the major source of Federal Government income. As in Colonial times, the person appointed to head the custom House in Casco Bay was almost always a leading community figure, or a well-connected political personage.

Skowhegan Community History - Bloomfield Academy

"The purpose was to create the town's first high school as a private academy. A board of directors was appointed and among the members were Eli…"