Abingdon in Washington County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Martha Washington College
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011
1. Martha Washington College Marker
The McCabe Lodge No. 56, Independent Order of Odd Fellows decided in 1853 to establish a women's college named after Martha Washington. The Holston Conference of the Methodist Church assumed control of the project by 1858. That same year the conference purchased the Gen. Francis Preston House (ca. 1832) to house the college. In 1860, the first classes were held at Martha Washington College. Several additions were made to the college's main building over the next 70 years. The school merged with nearby Emory & Henry College in 1918. In 1921 Martha Washington became a junior college but closed in 1931. In 1937, the former main college building was converted into the Martha Washington Inn.
Erected 2000 by Virgnia Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number K-56.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Women. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 36° 42.624′ N, 81° 58.513′ W. Marker is in Abingdon, Virginia, in Washington County. It is on West Main Street (U.S. 11) 0.1 miles north of Cummings Street (Alternate U.S.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Tri-Cities Area, in Southwest Virginia, and in the Blue Ridge Highlands. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Barter Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); William Rodefer House (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Barter Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Stonewall Jackson Female Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); The Crooked Road / Abingdon (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor John B. Floyd (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abingdon (about 400 feet away); History of Barter Stage II (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Abingdon.
Also see . . .
1. History | Martha Washington Inn. (Submitted on July 29, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
2. The Martha Washington Inn – One of the Most Haunted Places in Virginia. (Submitted on July 29, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011
2. Martha Washington College Marker
Photographed by Mark Parker, December 5, 2023
3. The Martha
Photographed by Paul Crumlish, July 14, 2011
4. Martha Washington Inn Hotel and Spa (1832)
Originally built into a private residence, later expanded as the main building for Martha Washington College, it served as a Civil War-era hospital. Today it is the Martha Washington Inn Hotel and Spa.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 120,955 times since then and 8,082 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 29, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. 3. submitted on December 8, 2023, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 4. submitted on July 30, 2011, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.
