SHOREHAM, Vt.
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Early Wednesday morning, firefighters went to work on a fire that ruined the Newton Academy beyond repair. They claim that a lightning bolt struck the south side of the building, which housed a preschool, and proceeded to take over the rest of the historic landmark. The building was bulldozed Wednesday afternoon.
For Dr. Allan Curtiss, the Newton Academy also housed his practice of 20 years along with the preschool. He is saddened by this loss, but is happy that no one was hurt.
"This has always been a part of Shoreham, and unfortunately now it's not going to be," Curtiss said.
In the next couple of weeks, Curtiss said he'll be looking for a new home for his practice. Already he's said the community's been very helpful in helping him get back on his feet. The fire left him nothing to bring with him to his next practice.
"Twenty years of work is somewhat lost, although the patients and practice will continue," Curtiss said.
The Newton Academy was one of the oldest buildings in Vermont and perhaps believed to be one of the oldest secondary schools in the entire nation. Many in Shoreham said it was their piece of history.
" It's tough because next year would have been the 200th year of this building, and they were just getting around to restoring it, and this was going to be quite a place," said Fire Chief Jeff Treadway of Shoreham.
The Newton Academy Restoration Committee was in the process of giving this historic landmark a fresh look, and was even planning special events around its anniversary.
"The committee was looking to having all kinds of celebrations, events at the Shoreham festival that we usually hold the first week in September," said Karen Shackatt, a Shoreham Selectboard member.
For Shackatt, it's shocking knowing that this piece of history won't be around for the celebration. And she's not the only one reminiscing of what it once was and what it could have been.
"I actually attended school here, Newton Academy. It was Shoreham Elementary in those days," said Cora Wagg of Shoreham.
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