Delaney Academy

Submitted by Tamara Kincaide

612 JEFFERSON ST WARRICK CO IN OHIO TWP

An institution of learning was for many years maintained in Newburgh. In the year 1842 Rev A.D. FREEMAN and others influenced the Indiana Presbytery to found the Delaney Academy to train ministers and later teachers. A board of trustees was appointed and a charter obtained from the state legislature.
The building, grounds and apparatus were furnished by the liberality of A. M. PHELPS. The name of the academy was at first Newburgh Cumberland Presbyterian Academy. The name soon changed in honor of Rev. HENRY F. DELANEY, a talented, learned and very eminent minister of the church who lived near Morganfield, KY and preached considerably through southern Indiana.

The school was originally housed in a frame building on the north side of Jennings St a half block west of State St. The first building was furnished with seats and desks, a pulpit and an excellent bell. Two teachers were employed and a large basement room was added later.
In 1853 the school was moved to the basement of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church where it was maintained for about four years. At the end of that time it was moved to a two story brick building on a beautiful site about a half mile from its former site. This building was erected and furnished by MR. PHELPS.

He gave in the support of the academy many valuable lots in Phelps addition. This school continued for 25 years in that time he had 8 principals with experience in natural science, rhetoric, mental and moral philosophy, logic Latin, Greek and mathematics.
The academy became a civil war headquarters for officers and special troops of the union army closing it for about four years during the war.
There were two regular sessions each lasting 5 months. Fees were $5.00 for Reading, Writing, Arithmetic and Geography with use of globes $6.00 for English, Grammar, History and Composition. $7.00 for Mental and Moral Science, Mathematics and Astrology $10.00 for Greek and Latin. Boarding with private families averaged $1.25 TO $1.50 Per week.
In 1867 the fate of the academy began to falter. The cause lay in the rapid expansion of common free schools supported by the state. The residents of Newburgh pledged $25,000 dollars to keep the academy here. Despite this the Synod of the Cumberland church voted to move the school to Lincoln, Illinois.