Stately and handsome, Old Derby Academy stands on a knoll overlooking lower Main Street in Hingham
with a regal authority that belies the fact that behind its grand facade is a party just waiting to happen. Today the headquarters of the Hingham Historical Society, housing precious archives that tell the story of
the town, this lovely building also helps support the Society through rental income from its frequent use as a venue for special occasions, most often for wedding receptions. Filled with guests toasting new beginnings,
Old Derby is playing a very different role these days than the one envisioned by Madam Sarah Derby in 1784 when she deeded the buildings at 34 Main Street and the land around them to those wishing to establish a
school on the premises. That finally happened in 1791, the year after Sarah Derby died, leaving much of her estate to the school's trustees to provide income for the new enterprise.
Intended to be a co-educational facility, perhaps the only one in the country at that time, the school was to have an enrollment limited to 30 girls and 40 boys, the young ladies to be instructed in writing, English,
French, arithmetic and the art of needlework in general, while the young gentlemen were to learn Latin, Greek, French, mathematics and geography.
Childless herself, Sarah Derby's generous gift in turn made possible the precious gift of education to students that continues to this day at Derby Academy in a complex of buildings not too distant from Old Derby.
The original school buildings were torn down in 1818, to be replaced by the present Federal-style structure. The new building, as had been the custom of the time, was designed to keep male and female students
separate, with each gender having its own entrance. That continued until 1852, when all students began to be taught in the same classroom.
How important Old Derby was to the town of Hingham is demonstrated by the fact that it was the only source of secondary education until 1872, when Hingham High School opened.
Bought by the Hingham Historical Society after the academy moved to its new quarters in the mid-60s, Old Derby's contribution to Hingham continues in its role as a repository for the town's history and as a place of
joyous celebration for those looking toward the future.
For information about renting Old Derby Academy, call 781-749-7721 and leave a message for the Function Manager.
