Arms Academy was a public school located in Shelburne, Massachusetts

Shelburne, Massachusetts

Shelburne is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,058 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area.The village of Shelburne Falls is located in the town.- History :...

, United States. The school opened in 1884, and the final class graduated in 1967, prior to the establishment of nearby Mohawk Trail Regional High School

Mohawk Trail Regional High School

Mohawk Trail Regional High School is located on Route 112 in Buckland, Massachusetts, United States. The public school currently serves nine towns, grades 7-12.- History :...

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History

Arms Academy was first conceived in the 1860s. Originally a tuition-based school, the first class graduated in 1885. Eventually becoming a public school, the campus was expanded over the years, including the construction of nearby Cowell Gym by the WPA

Works Progress Administration

The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...

 during the Great Depression

Great Depression

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...

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The opening of a new school, Mohawk Trail Regional High School

Mohawk Trail Regional High School

Mohawk Trail Regional High School is located on Route 112 in Buckland, Massachusetts, United States. The public school currently serves nine towns, grades 7-12.- History :...

, led to the closing of Arms Academy and other nearby small high schools in western Franklin County

Franklin County, Massachusetts

-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...

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Arms Academy and Cowell Gym still stand today, though neither are used as public academic facilities.
Arms Academy is the home of the Shelburne Falls Historical Society and at this time Cowell Gym is in use for dance's, some indoor sports that local residents organize and has been used by the local elemantary school for winter and raining day gym class.