Kentucky Man Restores Historic Choctaw Academy Dormitory

Dr. William “Chip” Richardson of Georgetown, Kentucky, is working to preserve the last remaining building of the Choctaw Academy, a 200-year-old school established for Choctaw Nation students.

Richardson discovered the stone structure while purchasing a farm in Scott County and began a years-long restoration effort. The academy, unlike many Native American schools of the era, was founded with support from the Choctaw Nation to provide students with a European-style education thought necessary for navigating a changing world.

The school operated from 1825 to 1848, educating over 600 students from 17 tribes, including Joel Barrow, believed to be the first Native American physician. Though recognized with a historical marker in 1955 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, the building is in disrepair and faces potential collapse.

Richardson is seeking approximately $300,000 to complete the restoration and establish the site as a National Historic Landmark. He recently faced a setback when the Georgetown-Scott County Museum moved to terminate a preservation easement, citing a lack of progress. The Choctaw Nation supports the restoration, viewing the academy as a vital part of their cultural heritage.