Who Knew? Nathan Hale Schoolhouse
It has been jokingly referred to as New London’s oldest mobile home.
The former Union School, now known as the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse, was built in 1773 at the corner of State and Union streets and has moved six times in its history in the city.
It now rests comfortably off Atlantic Street near the Water Street parking garage where it was moved as part of the $10 million renovation of the downtown Parade plaza, which was completed in 2010.
The one-room schoolhouse is where Colonial patriot Nathan Hale taught. He would go on to enlist in a state militia in 1775 after the start of the Revolutionary War. He was caught and hanged on Sept. 22, 1776 by the British while spying behind enemy lines for Gen. George Washington. He was 21.
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” were his immortal last words.
Hale’s namesake one-room schoolhouse in New London – not to be confused with the one in East Haddam — was first moved from its original location in 1830 to the intersection of Golden and Union streets where it became a private residence, according to an account by the Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution, which purchased the building in 1899.
The building was renovated and moved to the Ancient Burying Ground on Hempstead Street in 1901 where it remained until 1966. It was at one point moved to Crystal Avenue, near the old town mill, until the Gold Star Memorial Bridge was erected and cast a shadow on the entire area.
The building was moved and situated on State Street, near city hall during a time when State Street became the pedestrian only Captain’s Walk. It moved again in 1988, this time further down State Street and closer to the parade.
The schoolhouse is open May through October, Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Those of us who live in southeastern Connecticut drive the local roads day in and day out, passing by landmarks but not really seeing them. So, we've gathered a few spots in our towns that we think you might want to know more about.
What: Nathan Hale Schoolhouse
Where: 19 Atlantic Street, New London
Why: Nathan Hale, a Yale graduate and Connecticut state hero taught in this one-room schoolhouse before enlisting in the state militia in 1775 to fight in the Revolutionary War. At aged 21 he was caught and hanged by the British while spying behind enemy lines for Gen. George Washington.
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