History

SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1774,

Newark Academy has occupied five different locations, overcome difficult challenges and flourished as a leader in independent school education. We invite you to learn more about Newark Academy’s past through the following visual historical timeline.

A rendering of Newark Academy's first location in Newark, NJ

1774

The Academy is Founded

Newark Academy was founded in Newark, New Jersey.

1780

A pin reads, %22Minute Men Build Again!%22

Temporary Setback

British troops attack Newark Academy in search of Continental soldiers stationed there during the ongoing Revolutionary War. The Academy building is burned to the ground.

1782

Newark Academy Reopens

NA reopens in rented quarters as an all-boys school.
“May this Academy rise and flourish … promote useful learning … and diffuse far and wide the beams of that sun of liberty, which has arisen in this western hemisphere.”

- Reverend Alexander Macwhorter

1792

Rising From The Ashes

The cornerstone is laid for the second Newark Academy building at the corner of Broad and Academy Streets in Newark.

1797

Second Location

Construction of the Academy’s second location is completed.

1802

Ad Lumen

Newark Academy first adopted a seal in 1802, featuring a book inscribed with the words of the school’s founder Alexander Macwhorter.

“Will faithfully endeavor to promote useful learning and secure good morals in this institution and diffuse far and wide the beams of that sun of liberty.” The seal was updated in 1888 and then again to its current design in 1984, to bear the school’s motto, “Ad Lumen”—meaning “toward the light.”

- Reverend Alexander Macwhorter

1802

Girls Return

Girls return to Newark Academy, and a dedicated wing is added.

1825

LaFayette Visits

Marquis de Lafayette, the famous Frenchman who fought for the United States Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, visited Newark Academy during the course of his travels.

1857

Third Location

NA moves to its third location at the intersection of High, William and Shipman Streets in Newark. (Eventually, High Street would be renamed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.) Under the direction of the Reverend Frederick A. Adams, NA establishes a full four-year high school curriculum and continues to enroll boys and girls.

1857

Curriculum Catalog

The first modern Newark Academy Catalog was published in 1857, providing a detailed four-year curriculum with courses in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, bookkeeping, “Mental and Moral Sciences,” rhetoric, ancient and modern languages, art, music, and gymnastics and calisthenics (strength training).

1859-1865 ; 1875-1908

The Farrand Era Begins

Samuel Farrand serves as Headmaster, doing away with the girls’ division and establishing Newark Academy as a boys’ school. Under his leadership, enrollment increases and the Academy’s reputation flourishes.

1882

Class of 1882

The Class of 1882 is the earliest class picture in the archives.

1882

Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting at Newark Academy is a community tradition that likely dates back to the Farrand era. These meetings initially began as chapel services and included a Bible reading, hymn and prayer. These chapel services continued during the move to Livingston despite a large Jewish student population — the auditorium even had a recessed pit for the organ. Within five years of the move to Livingston, Morning Meeting became completely secularized, transitioning into the gatherings we partake in today which celebrate student achievements and cultivate a close-knit school community.

1883

Athletics Arrives

Newark Academy introduced extra-curricular athletics in 1883. However, the first team for which we have solid evidence of its existence was the football team in 1885.

1890

The Polymnian

The Polymnian makes its first appearance as a magazine created by students in the Polymnian Literary and Debating Society.

1908

A New Headmaster

Headmaster Samuel Farrand dies at the age of 78 and is succeeded by his son, Wilson Farrand.

1911

Spelling Aid Issued

Newark Academy’s Fifty “Dangerous” Words Frequently Misspelled in Upper Form Compositions was an aid issued to students to help fortify their studies.

1927

NA’s First Yearbook

The Polymnian is first published as an independent yearbook.

1929

Fourth Location

Newark Academy moves to its fourth and final Newark location along the historic Morris Canal on First Street.

1935

Farrand Era Ends

Wilson Farrand retires as Headmaster, closing out a combined 66 years of leadership by the Farrands.

1940

World War II

H. Paul Abbott, the first Headmaster born in the 20th century, adds naval science and aviation to the curriculum in the wake of World War II.

1940

Minuteman Mascot

The Newark Academy "Minute Man" mascot is created by Dean H. Upgrove of the Class of 1916.

1940

First Student Newspaper

Students begin a newspaper, The Newark Academy News, later renamed The Minute Man.

1956

Robert M. Butler

Robert M. Butler is named Headmaster.

1964

Fifth Location

Newark Academy sells the First Street property and moves to its 68-acre campus in Livingston, under the leadership of Headmaster Robert M. Butler.

1966

Honoring Our Brave

Newark Academy dedicates the football and track field in memory of Medal of Honor recipient Samuel S. Coursen ’45, who was killed during the Korean War.

1967

E. Standish Bradford, Jr.

E. Standish Bradford, Jr. is named Headmaster.

1970

Return to Coeducation

Newark Academy returns to its coeducational roots following a unanimous vote by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees to admit girls.

1971

First Female Cohort

Newark Academy enrolls its first cohort of young women since 1859.

1972

Steering the Future

Trustees, administrators and faculty hold a leadership conference to discuss the future of NA. The conference’s conclusion is that Newark Academy needs to be innovative to prepare students for their entire futures, not just college.

1974

Bicentennial

Bicentennial: President Richard Nixon congratulates Newark Academy for its bicentennial celebration.

1974

Richard C. Hawkes Memorial Library

The new Richard C. Hawkes Memorial Library (officially dedicated in 1982) is completed.

1979

Allan E. Strand

Allan E. Strand is named Headmaster.

1991

IB Diploma

Newark Academy becomes the first school in New Jersey to offer the International Baccalaureate diploma as part of the curriculum.

1992

Arts Center

The 20,000-square-foot Elizabeth B. McGraw Arts Center opens with new instrumental and choral facilities, classrooms and studios for ceramics, drawing, printmaking, painting and photography. It is also home to the Lautenberg “Black Box” Theater for acting students and the David Teiger ’47 Gallery for Studio Arts at the center of the wing, to showcase student art and the works of artists-in-residence.

1997

First Female Head of School

Elizabeth “Penney” Riegelman is named the first female Head of School.

1999

225 Years!

Newark Academy celebrates its 225th anniversary.

2001

Field House

The Simon Family Field House is completed, adding 57,000 square feet to the school, featuring a gymnasium, six–lane pool, fitness center, locker rooms, athletics offices and storage space.

2001

Schedule Change

Newark Academy changes its daily schedule from eight 41-minute periods to six 55-minute periods to prioritize depth of inquiry.

2001

Off-Campus Study

The Board of Trustees approves tuition forgiveness for Off-Campus Study, allowing students to attend semester schools around the globe each year.

2002

Nature Trail

The Carol Heaney Nature Trail opens with two outdoor classrooms, an astronomy lookout and a pond for aquatic biology and chemistry studies.

2007

Donald M. Austin

Donald M. Austin is named the Academy’s 49th Head of School.

2008

Global Speaker Series

Newark Academy launches the Global Speaker Series, bringing distinguished individuals from around the world to enrich students’ understanding and broaden their intellectual horizons. One of the first speakers in the series was Ethan Zohn, winner of Survivor: Africa.

2009