Near Washington in Adams County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Elizabeth Female Academy
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 11, 2024
1. Elizabeth Female Academy Marker
Inscription.
Elizabeth Female Academy. . The Natchez Trace was still active and Mississippi had just become a state when the Elizabeth Female Academy opened its doors in November of 1818. Much can be learned about the culture of early Mississippi here in the community of Washington. As the young state’s first capital it boasted churches, advanced learning societies, and two institutions of higher education, Jefferson College (1811) and the Elizabeth Female Academy. Progressive thinking for the day, it was the first institution of higher learning for women chartered by the state of Mississippi. After the capital and population shifted to Jackson, the Academy struggled and finally closed in 1845. Follow the path to your right to see what is left of the Academy and learn more about the people who once made Washington the cultural center of Mississippi.
The Natchez Trace was still active and Mississippi had just become a state when the Elizabeth Female Academy opened its doors in November of 1818. Much can be learned about the culture of early Mississippi here in the community of Washington. As the young state’s first capital it boasted churches, advanced learning societies, and two institutions of higher education, Jefferson College (1811) and the Elizabeth Female Academy. Progressive thinking for the day, it was the first institution of higher learning for women chartered by the state of Mississippi. After the capital and population shifted to Jackson, the Academy struggled and finally closed in 1845. Follow the path to your right to see what is left of the Academy and learn more about the people who once made Washington the cultural center of Mississippi.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Natchez Trace series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1818.
Location. 31° 34.453′ N, 91° 17.595′ W. Marker is near Washington, Mississippi, in Adams County. Marker can be reached from Natchez Trace Parkway (at milepost 5.1
Click or scan to see this page online
), 3.3 miles south of U.S. 61. Marker is located at the Elizabeth Female Academy turnout on the parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington MS 39190, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 11, 2024
2. Elizabeth Female Academy Marker
Photographed By Duane Hall, August 4, 2015
3. Ruins of Elizabeth Female Academy
Credits. This page was last revised on April 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 15, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 416 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 2, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on August 15, 2015, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
