SR 2032 — Commending New London Academy.

+ 2026 SPECIAL SESSION I + + INTRODUCEDENROLLED + + + 26200218D+ + SENATE RESOLUTION NO.

2032 IE Offered+ June 15, 2026 N Commending+ommending New London Academy.

T+ ————— Patron—Peake R —————+ + O Agreed to by the Senate, June 22, 2026 L WHEREAS, New London Academy in Bedford County celebrates its 230th anniversary in 2026, marking L more than two centuries as one of the Commonwealth's most historic and enduring educational institutions;

and E WHEREAS, chartered by the General Assembly on December 1, 1795, New London Academy is one of UD C the oldest continuously operating schools in the Commonwealth and among the oldest in the southern United States;

it is notably the only public elementary school in Virginia that operates under a charter granteEgranted directly by the General Assembly;

and WHEREAS, New London Academy was founded as a classical school for boys and enjoyed the early D support of Thomas Jefferson, whose grandson attended the institution, reflecting the Commonwealth's longstanding commitment to expanding educational opportunities;

and WHEREAS, New London Academy's original frame building was replaced between 1837 and 1839 with the distinguished brick Greek Revival structure that still stands today, a landmark of the Commonwealth's S architectural and educational heritage;

and R WHEREAS, New London Academy's campus also includes an original kitchen outbuilding, now 2 preserved as a museum, offering students and visitors a tangible connection to the school's early history;

and 2 WHEREAS, over the course of its remarkable history, New London Academy has evolved to meet the E R needs of its community, becoming coeducational in 1879, joining the public school system in the late 19tS19th century, and later serving as an agricultural high school before transitioning to its current role as anRan 24 elementary school;

and 3 WHEREAS, New London Academy's historic buildings were recognized for their significance with 2 placement on the Virginia Landmarks Register in 1971 and the National Register of Historic Places in 1972;

and WHEREAS, for 230 years, New London Academy has remained steadfast in its mission to educate generations of Bedford County students, shaping the lives of countless Virginians and standing as a testament 35 to the power of community investment in public education;

now, therefore, be it 36 RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That New London Academy hereby be commended on the 37 occasion of its 230th anniversary;

and, be it 38 RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to / 39 representatives of New London Academy as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for the school's distinguished history and many contributions to the Commonwealth.