About Us

Our Mission

As a self-sustaining and all-inclusive community center, McIndoe Falls Academy will continue its enduring educational purpose, enrich the region with events and activities and inspire an appreciation of local history.

Our Story

The McIndoes Academy Trustees lovingly cared for the McIndoes Academy from 1969 to the present day. The Trustees now plan to upgrade the McIndoes Academy building and grounds to develop a vibrant and engaging community center. Wallace Thrall, McIndoes Academy President, shared the following at the Olive Cheney Legacy Celebration on October 17, 2021, “We are here to honor Olive Cheney and to celebrate her amazing gift to McIndoes Academy. A gift of opportunity. The opportunity to create something special here. This unique structure, which served this community for 116 years as an educational institution, has survived in fine condition, thanks to 50 years of careful stewardship by a dedicated Board of Trustees. Now, our task, not only as the Board but also as a community, is to take advantage of this opportunity to make the necessary changes and improvements to the building so that we can take full advantage of all it has to offer, both inside and outside.”

Our Story

The McIndoe Falls Academy was built in 1853 and provided one of the earliest offerings of secondary education in the region. The Academy building was built during a time of relative prosperity in the Upper Connecticut River Valley. The Academy faithfully served its purpose for 113 years, until 1969, when it was forced to close by the Vermont State Department of Education.

The McIndoes Academy Trustees lovingly cared for the McIndoes Academy from 1969 to the present day. The Trustees now plan to upgrade the McIndoes Academy building and grounds to develop a vibrant and engaging community center. Wallace Thrall, McIndoes Academy President, shared the following at the Olive Cheney Legacy Celebration on October 17, 2021,

“We are here to honor Olive Cheney and to celebrate her amazing gift to McIndoes Academy. A gift of opportunity- the opportunity to create something special here. Now, our task, not only as the Board but also as a community, is to take advantage of this opportunity to make the necessary changes and improvements to the building so that we can take full advantage of all it has to offer, both inside and outside.”

Volunteers Revive Two Historic Landmarks 


The project has achieved a rare dual milestone: sustaining active cultural programming while executing renovations and repairs on both the academy building (1853) and the former Church (1850), now the Event Center. This campus, the McIndoes Academy Community Center, offers various venues, indoors and outdoors, for public and private events. 


“We refused to let our village resemble a ghost town,” said Wally Thrall, a member of the final graduating class and trustee. “By opening these doors, we’ve proven that historic preservation can be the heartbeat of a modern rural community.”


On Tuesday May 26th, the spire was removed from the steeple of the former church for restoration. John Heartson, trustee, said, “It was incredible watching the crane operator and crew carefully lower the spire to the ground, but it will be back up by fall. And Friday we had an antique Studebaker car show, followed by burgers and fries provided by Calex of St. Johnsbury, and a packed house for our 50s/60s rock and roll dance featuring Bruce James and “The New Belairs.” 


Volunteers have contributed hundreds of hours to ensure the buildings remain self-sustaining. “The spirit of this place was never about the bricks; it was about the people,” said Cathy Thomas, a longtime advocate for the church’s preservation. “By restoring both buildings, we are creating a complete village center again. We aren’t just saving history; we are using it to teach the next generation and bring neighbors together through music. The fact that we can host a rock ‘n’ roll dance in the same building where we are hammering out restoration plans shows the resilience of this community.”


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The McIndoes Academy Community Center continues to seek support for ongoing enhancements, including acoustic treatments for the Event Center, expanded ADA compliance, and further restoration work. 

Appreciation of History

Community members attending the visioning session extensively discussed the need for the McIndoes Academy Community Center facility to develop and deliver rich programming to expand community members’ understanding and appreciation of the local people, places, and events that came before us. Participants mentioned programming topics such as the history of the dams, trading routes, wildlife, log drives as economic drivers of the past. Specific opportunities to appreciate and celebrate history included rotating living history displays, historical society event collaboration, antique car shows, and a genealogy reading room. Due to space limitations, permanent storage of historical artifacts is not a likely option, but instead featured historical exhibits that change periodically may be a more viable approach for planned historical exhibits. 

Appreciation of Arts & Education

Programming that engages community members and, at the same time, enriches their lives is at the heart of the McIndoes Academy Community Center. To not only see, but to feel and experience the world around us fosters a true love of learning and appreciation of beauty. Example programs being explored with an educational and art focus include workshops on cooking, painting, computer knowledge, learning about other cultures, gardening, STEAM classes, and after-school activities. Area groups are now requesting to use the Academy as a meeting place. Flexible space configurations that can accommodate intergenerational activities and gatherings will optimize the facility to meet community needs.

Appreciation of Our Community

Now, more than ever, we all need a sense of togetherness with community spaces and events that bring us together. The McIndoes Academy Community Center, centrally located in the village center of McIndoes Falls, provides a gathering space where community members can enjoy gatherings on the front lawn, trails in Pearl Meadow just over the bridge next to the Connecticut River, and indoor activities at the historic Academy building. Large or small gatherings, the Academy campus provides a gorgeous Vermont setting to enrich the lives of all who visit.