the former hampden academy building stands on the west side of us route 1a in hampden village, just south of its junction with cottage street. it stands at the back of a semicircular drive that is now almost completely surrounded by parking for the mcgraw school, whose modern section is attached to the rear of this building. the academy building is a -story brick building, with a front-facing gable roof and granite foundation. a square tower rises above the roof ridge, with a short first stage, and a taller belfry stage with louvered round-arch openings. the front (west-facing) facade is symmetrical, three bays wide, with a projecting entry vestibule in the center bay, and a fully pedimented gable with a half-round louver at its center. the entry has pilasters at all four corners (as does the building) and the entrance is recessed in a paneled opening, with a balustrade balcony above.