Advanced Education Center
Madison, Morgan County, Georgia
Marker Inscription
Advanced Education Center. Religious denominations organized Georgia's first colleges for women. Madison flourished as an educational center following the 1850 incorporation of both the Georgia Female College (Baptist), initally chartered as Madison Collegiate Institute, and the Madison Female College (Methodist). The Georgia Female College opened for its Spring Session with 148 pupils in this building, which became the President's House after John B. Walker funded a three-story brick building to the right (burned 1882). The Madison Female College was also located in town but was also lost to fire in 1864. A diverse curriculum attracted young women from as far as Philadelphia. Citizens supported the institutions with funding and provision of room and board. Both schools thrived until the outbreak of the Civil War, when the facilities were used as temporary hospitals. Post-war, private education never regained its former stature. CITY OF MADISON MADISON BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION 1809-2009 A PRESERVE AMERICA COMMUNITY
Erected by City of Madison
The Story
When Madison incorporated two women's colleges in 1850 — the Baptist Georgia Female College and the Methodist Madison Female College — the town became one of the antebellum South's notable centers of female education. This building opened the Georgia Female College's first session with 148 pupils and later served as the president's house. A diverse curriculum drew young women from as far as Philadelphia, until the Civil War turned the facilities into hospitals and private education never recovered its former standing.
Why it matters
Georgia's church-founded women's colleges were pioneers in higher education for American women at a time when few such opportunities existed.
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Related people
- · John B. Walker
Related events
- · Incorporation of Madison's women's colleges, 1850
Themes & tags
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