Academy Building, 68-114 South Main Street, Fall River, Bristol County, MA

Significance: The Academy Building was constructed by the Borden Family, textile entrepreneurs of Fall River. The prominent structure, with Ruskinian Gothic details, was designed by Hartwell and Swasey of Boston in 1875. The Academy of Music, located within the block, was a local cultural center, housing performances by nationally renowned actors and actresses as well as concerts, lectures and civic events. After World War I, the auditorium was used predominantly for movies. It was modernized in 1946, but retains a great deal of its original fabric.
Survey number: HABS MA-1000
Building/structure dates: 1876 Initial Construction