Site of Marshall Masonic Female Institute
Marshall, Harrison County, Texas
Marker Inscription
School originated as Female Department of Marshall University, chartered Jan. 18, 1842, by Republic of Texas. Marshall Masonic Lodge No. 22 chartered the Female Institute as a separate school in 1850. Five lodge members (including city's most prominent men) were on institute's executive board. By 1853, there were fifty-three students and a faculty of five. Two who served longest of the school's five presidents were Dr. Thomas B. Wilson (1850-1858 and 1865-1870) and Dr. Charles B. Stuart (1874-1886).
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This school began as the Female Department of Marshall University, chartered by the Republic of Texas in 1842, and in 1850 the local Masonic lodge chartered it as the separate Marshall Masonic Female Institute. Five prominent lodge members sat on its board, and by 1853 it enrolled fifty-three students under a faculty of five. Dr. Thomas B. Wilson and Dr. Charles B. Stuart served longest among its five presidents.
Why it matters
Founded in the republic's earliest years, the institute reflects the early commitment to educating young women on the Texas frontier.
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