The Academy - Come experience... life at its best!

One of a kind retirement community located in Boulder, CO.
The Academy circa 1892.

History

More than 100 years ago, in 1891, on the hills overlooking Boulder, a Catholic nun suffering from tuberculosis had a dream. Sent by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Dubuque, Iowa to explore opening a school in the Denver area, Sister Mary Theodore O'Connor and two companions stood on The Academy site and envisioned a school that would provide chronically ill children with opportunities to heal both the mind and body. Blessed with Colorado sunshine and the beauty of the foothills, Boulder was the perfect location for such a holistic place of learning.

What was the town of Boulder like in 1891? At that time, Boulder was a young town and pretty rough around the edges. Gold had been discovered in Boulder just 32 years earlier, in 1859. When gold was discovered, the town's population was 200 men and 17 women. In 1891, the town had grown to 6,200 people. There were many saloons and houses of ill repute. There were nine churches, most of which are still in the downtown area today.

In 1891, Boulder already had an educational and cultural bent. There were eight newspapers, two of which were daily papers. There was a library and an opera house. There were five schools, including the State University (now the University of Colorado). It was said that "It is the pride of the people of Boulder to believe that no better public schools, and no public more liberal for educational purposes, can be found in any part of the United States". The tuition at the University was free. The cost of room and board on campus was $3.75 per week.

There were 2,200 light bulbs in Boulder in 1891 and 13 telephones. The town was very proud of its efficient volunteer fire department, which consisted of two fire hoses and one hook and ladder. As it still does today, Boulder's water supply came from Boulder Creek about five miles up the canyon.

Mount St. Gertrude's Academy was born in a stately, beautiful building that stood alone on the prairie. Built of brick and locally-quarried sandstone, the building's scale was like the majestic Flatirons in whose shadow it would stand, with huge windows to let in the Colorado sunlight and air, and a lofty bell tower reaching toward the heavens. Unfortunately, Sister Mary did not live to see the opening of the school as she succumbed to her illness. She died several weeks before construction was finished, but her dream lived on in what became a holistic school for girls.

According to its catalog, Mount St. Gertrude's Academy was founded on "fresh air and sunlight, wholesome and nutritious food, regular hours for rising and retiring, and an abundance of healthful recreation and outdoor exercise" to promote the good health of the students. The school operated as a private girls school for over three-quarters of a century, offering a curriculum that provided a foundation for lifelong learning. In 1969, the University of Colorado bought the property to house dance programs, its Bureau of Conferences and Real Estate, and its Division of Continuing Education. Fire damage in 1980 forced the University to close the Academy building and it remained vacant until 1998, when The Academy reopened its doors as a retirement community whose mission is "to be a community of excellence that fosters meaningful living in an intimate environment of grace and beauty".

The stately, red brick structure of The Academy is once more a beautiful testament to living well in Boulder. We believe that Sister Mary Theodore O'Connor would be pleased with the holistic vision being carried out at The Academy. Out of its historic past, The Academy is a place where very real dreams come true.

The Academy was designated as a City of Boulder Landmark in 1984 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

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