History of Newport Academy

      Built in 1847 for Emily Ward, founder of Newport Academy, by her brother Eber Brock Ward.

• Original location was on the northwest corner of South Main and Washington Streets, Marine City.
• Moved to present location in 1870 for use as the Village Hall.  Contract to move the building went to John Bell for $147.00.  Cost of repairs and upgrades to the building was $121.00.
• Served as the first Village Hall on the upper floor, and jail on the ground floor, from 1870 to 1889.
• During this period the building was used for:       

                      1. Marine City Council Meetings  

                      2. Police Station and jail.

                      3. Justice of the Peace Court

                      4. Cotterville Township elections  

                       5. Lectures  

• From 1889 to 1908 the building was used for:
• Presbyterian Church
• Organizing St. John's Evangelical Church
• Niagara Hose Co. #2. The hose company became responsible for the building after the Presbyteriabn Church left.  A two wheel hose cart was stored downstairs.  The hose house was where the annex is today.
• Upstairs was redecorated and a hardwood oak floor was put in for dances and other social events.
• After 1908 the building stood empty for several years.
• During World War One. the Red Cross used the building.
• During the 1920's and 1930's it was used as an elememtary school for the Marine City public school system, because of a fire.
• In 1939 the Marine City Library was moved from the City Hall to this building, where it remained until 1982.
• The building became a museum in 1983.
• The annex was added in 1992.
• The Diorama was started in 2000, representing how the Belle River looked in 1885.
• The Kellog Blacksmith Shop was built in 2003.
• A rebuilding project was started in 2005.  It represents how the porch looked in 1870. (see pictures below)