Historic Newton’s new documentary film, “An Uncommon Education,” premiered on Saturday, Saturday, October 21, 2023 at the Allen Center, to a sold out crowd.

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If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the film please click here to let us know. Copies will be available shortly.

At a time when slavery was still the law of the land and women’s suffrage yet a distant goal, the West Newton English and Classical School admitted Black students, foreign students, and women to a forward-looking program of study. Founded in 1854 and led by Nathaniel T. Allen, the school (often called the Allen School) empowered its students to develop their talents, while moving society decisively toward gender and racial equality.

To help create the film, Historic Newton has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Expand Mass Stories initiative from Mass Humanities. The grant, funded with the support of the Mass Cultural Council, was used to create the film highlighting the educational legacy of Nathaniel T. Allen and the pioneering school he directed in Newton.

The Allen School advanced a radical new vision of social and educational equality in the United States in the last half of the 19th century. This is a story that has not been told before in film and not fully told in the written histories. As such, it will restore a forgotten piece of history in Massachusetts -- a state that values education and was an early pioneer in fostering inclusion.  “An Uncommon Education” will help current generations make connections that point us toward a more just society.