Founded in 1845 in Cornwall, Connecticut
Disassembled, moved, and reassembled at CAMA's site in Kent, CT in 1994
One of the earliest schools dedicated to the teaching of scientific agriculture in the United States
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The Cream Hill Agricultural School Founded in 1845 in Cornwall, Connecticut Disassembled, moved, and reassembled at CAMA's site in Kent, CT in 1994 One of the earliest schools dedicated to the teaching of scientific agriculture in the United States |
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Above, an early etching of the Cream Hill Agricultural School, originally attached to the Gold family residence Left, Samuel W. Gold (father and co-founder) Right, Theodore Sedgwick Gold (son and co-founder) |
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Cream Hill Agricultural School East |
The Cream Hill Agricultural School was
founded by Samuel W. and Theodore Sedgwick Gold in 1845. The school
was dedicated to the teaching of scientific agriculture. The curriculum
was broad however, and students were taught a variety of subjects including
geology, mathematics, biology, chemistry as well as teachings in the humanities
and of course, proper deportment of young adults. The school admitted only
boys, and the students lived at the school, staying in dormitory rooms
on the second floor. The students shared meals with the Gold family.
Attendance was not rigorous as students had to return to their homes from
time to time for planting, harvesting and other chores. It was not uncommon
for students to come and go more than once during the year. |
Cream Hill Agricultural School North |
The Cream Hill Agricultural School remained
open for only 24 years. Theodore closed the school in 1869 upon
the death of his father. Is is thought that Samuel was the primary
instructor, at least partially explaining Theodore's decision. Theodore however
was not finished with his interest in educating youth in the methods of
agriculture. He was becoming more involved in state-wide agricultural
affairs which gave him less time to devote to the Cream Hill School. Theodore
was in a position to eventually influence the Storrs brothers and because
of the similarities between the Cream Hill School and the Storrs Agricultural
School, evidence of his influence was clear. T.S. Gold was a
Trustee and served on a subcommittee entrusted with the organization of the
Storrs Agricultural School. The Storrs Agricultural School would eventually
become the University of Connecticut. |
Cream Hill Agricultural School South |
Today, on the grounds of the Connecticut
Antique Machinery Association in Kent, plan to visit the Cream Hill Agricultural
School. In the front classroom you can still see the varied collections
of minerals, seashells, and other examples from nature used to expose students
to the wider world around them. These collections are still in their original
cases as they were when the school was active in the mid-1800's. In the back rooms, CAMA has used the space to display donated antiques of many kinds from our collection. One room houses a fine collection of early kitchen items. Many younger people would have difficulty in guessing the use of some of these items. The second floor of the school is made up of smaller rooms that originally served as dormitories. CAMA now uses some of these rooms to house a library consisting of books collected and donated by the Gold family as well as other donated volumes. |