School and Park History

Overview

The Boiling Spring Academy is a restored 1830 one room school house located in Primm Historic Park on Moores Lane, just before Wilson Pike. The park is the site of two National Register properties: Boiling Spring Academy established as a school in 1830, and a prehistoric Native American Mound Site, 900-1500 (A.D.). The site was excavated in the 1920’s by the Smithsonian and is known as the Fewkes Site.

It is listed as #80003880 on the National Register of Historical Places and was added in 1980.

Primm Historic Park contains some of the most important historical and cultural resources in Tennessee. As urban areas grow, historical sites are quickly disappearing. This park in particular is a microcosm of Tennessee history representing prehistoric Native American culture and education of the 1800’s. The National Register lists the area of significance as agriculture.

On this site, prehistoric Native Americans lived and left their mounds as relics of the Mississippian Period. Many years later pioneer settlers carved their civilization out of this wilderness. They were followed by flourishing plantations where antebellum planters educated their sons in the Boiling Spring Academy which also served as a church.

Fun Fact

Country Music Star Eric Church recorded the official music video for Mr. Misunderstood on the second floor of the academy, in front of the chalkboard in 2015.

School Restoration

In 2003 the Primm family donated the two acres encompassing the academy and mounds to the City of Brentwood. To protect the site, the City obtained 30 acres around the academy and mounds to buffer the site from future development. This additional land also preserves the open space and provides access along the Little Harpeth River for the City’s walking/bikeway system. The Brentwood Historic Commission oversees the historic park and the goal is is to promote awareness and appreciation of history and heritage of the community and preservation.

The academy which had been used as a storage barn needed to be restored immediately to prevent further deterioration. The Historic Commission contacted experts in the field of restoration and preservation. Vic Hood, a respected restoration expert and an archaeologist was hired to restore the Boiling Spring Academy. The Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University researched and documented historic and prehistoric findings at the site. They provided a wealth of written information and catalogued over 4,600 artifacts.

Archaeological Testing Report(PDF, 5MB)

Boiling Springs Academy FACTS

Built in 1832 and opened the following year as a private school for boys of wealthy landowners
Some students boarded with area families
Three class levels offered, ranging in costs from $8 to $14 per term, with each term lasting five and one-half months. Studies included reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar, geography, Latin, Greek, and science.
The two-story school had fireplaces at both ends of the building
The front door was originally on the side facing the largest mound
1887 -- the school changed from private to a Williamson County public school
The first teachers were male and female teachers could not be married
Teachers were paid $25 a year
Around 1900, the school was used as a church and continued as a church and school until around 1918
To make the Academy appear more like a church, the original entrance was replaced by a window, and a door was constructed on the gable-end of the building. Both fireplaces were removed, and a pot-bellied stove was placed in the center of the downstairs room
One of the original blackboards is still located on the second floor
Names and initials of former students are carved in the entrance, upstairs and on the back of the building
By 1920, the Primm family was using the structure for storing hay and hanging tobacco
1980 --- the Fewkes Group Archaeological Site and Boiling Spring Academy were placed on the National Register of Historic Places
2003 -- the Primm Family donated the Boiling Spring Academy and Fewkes Site to the City of Brentwood to be developed as Primm Park
2004 -- restoration of the Academy was completed
2005 --- an interactive educational program began for third-graders from the Brentwood elementary schools, then moved to be a second-grade curriculum around 2009.
Since 2005 -- more than 900 students visit the on-site historic classroom program each year
2019 - Program was updated to include more comprehensive history lessons and became a third-grade curriculum again
2021 -- The Brentwood Historic Commission completed the Boiling Spring Academy Virtual Tour in partnership with Williamson County Schools

Academy Educational Program FACTS

The Boiling Spring Academy, (circa 1830), is a one-room school house located on Moores Lane. It serves as the center of an educational program developed by the Brentwood Historic Commission.
The Academy, with no electricity or plumbing, opens each fall and spring to give Brentwood third-grade students a chance to step back in time
Students prepare for their historical experience by utilizing an activity book developed by the Brentwood Historic Commission.
Students participate in an interactive program dressed in period clothing (pinafores for the girls, suspenders and bandannas for the boys).
The typical school day taught by retired teachers includes penmanship and arithmetic (using slates and slate pencils), history, recitation, and a spelling bee.
Students enjoy lunch and recess outside, playing games from the 1800’s.
Walking around the Academy and nearby Native American Mounds emphasizes the area and its history as one of the most important historical and cultural resources in Tennessee.

Native Americans

Indian Burial Mound