A Mysterious Woodland Trail In Mississippi Will Take You To The Original Elizabeth Female Academy Ruins
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published September 29, 2021
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
When thinking of ruins in Mississippi, the Windsor Ruins undoubtedly come to mind. However, they’re not the only ruins in the Magnolia State. Mississippi is also home to the ruins of the Elizabeth Female Academy, which is purported as the first college for women in the U.S.
The ruins of Elizabeth Female Academy are on the Natchez Trace Parkway at milepost 5.1.
(Wesleyan College in Georgia also claims to be the first college for women in the U.S.; however, the Elizabeth Female Academy was the first to award advanced degrees of any kind to women, which is why researchers bill it as the first.)
The women attending the academy received a thorough, well-rounded education. The curriculum included Latin, history, botany, philosophy, mythology, chemistry, Christianity, and more.
Those who completed the coursework received a Degree of Domina Scientarum, which is (roughly) the equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree. One of the academy’s most famous graduates was Varina Howell, the future wife of Jefferson Davis.
In the 1840s, the school had to close its doors, as the Great Depression caused attendance to decline drastically.
Well, what do you think? Are you ready to explore these ruins for yourself? Click here for more information.
So, did you know about these ruins in Mississippi? Ever visited? Or, maybe you know of some other historic ruins in the state? If so, tell us!
This isn’t the only trek in Mississippi that combines history and nature. Click here to read about a trail that leads straight to an abandoned POW camp.
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