Staunton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Mary Baldwin College

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

1. Mary Baldwin College Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The oldest college for women related to the Presbyterian Church, U. S. Founded 1842 by Rufus W. Bailey as Augusta Female Seminary; renamed in 1895 to honor Mary Julia Baldwin, pioneer woman educator and Principal, 1863–1897.

Erected 1981 by Virginia State Library. (Marker Number I-17.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 38° 9.042′ N, 79° 4.302′ W. Marker is in Staunton, Virginia. Marker is at the intersection of East Frederick Street and North New Street (Business Virginia Route 11), on the right on East Frederick Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Staunton VA 24401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. T. J. Collins & Son (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Augusta National Bank Building

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

2. Mary Baldwin College Marker

Frederick Street is in the foreground. New Street continues its climb uphill between the marker and the house in the distance.

Click or scan to see
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(about 600 feet away); Birthplace of Woodrow Wilson (about 700 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); Augusta County (about 700 feet away); Korean and Viet Nam Memorial (about 700 feet away); Augusta County World War I Memorial Tablet (about 700 feet away); Roll of Honor (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staunton.

Also see . . .
1. Augusta County: "Miss Baldwin: A Brief Memoir," by Armistead C. Gordon, March 6, 1925. From the Valley of the Shadow Project (Submitted on March 18, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.)

2. Traditions Tell the Mary Baldwin Story. University website entry (Submitted on May 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Mary Baldwin College (Augusta Female Seminary) and the Civil War
By 1863, the stresses of the Civil War threatened to close

Grafton Library, Mary Washington College image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

3. Grafton Library, Mary Washington College

the Augusta Female Seminary. At one point, attendance was no more than six students. Accordingly, an appeal was made by the secretary of the Board of Trustees to Mary Julia Baldwin to accept appointment as principal. Baldwin took the position, ultimately reformed the curriculum and remained at the school's helm for thirty-four years.

— Submitted March 18, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.

Administration Building, Mary Baldwin College image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 24, 2008

4. Administration Building, Mary Baldwin College

Photographed By Shane Oliver, August 21, 2021

5. Mary Baldwin College Marker

Note the Virginia History Trails sign attached to the marker pole.

Mary Baldwin University Administration Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Shane Oliver, August 21, 2021

6. Mary Baldwin University Administration Building

Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,234 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5, 6. submitted on August 26, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Additional campus photos • Photos of Miss Baldwin’s gravesite. • Can you help?