The History of Derby Academy

Did You Know??? is a new weekly Hingham Patch feature column.  Each week the column will teach the readers one piece of history from this historic town.  Feel free to share your comments below and add any facts that you might know.

was once located on Main Street where the Historical Society now stands.  Sarah Derby died in 1794 but not before leaving funds for establishments of the first coeducation school in America.  In 1784 she conveyed her wishes to the 10 trustees of the land on which the Derby Academy now stands.  Classes were originally separated by gender. It was not until 1852 before boys and girls were taught in same room.  The last classes on Main street were in 1960s. Later on, the town of Hingham tried to make it part of high school but those plans never went through.  Derby Academy is now located on Burditt Avenue.

Source:  "Post Card History Series" by James Pierotti.  This book can be found at .