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.

Tina H, Contributed Photo

A short, paved trail through the woods leads straight to the ruins, making the site easily accessible for history buffs of all ages.

Angel M./FourSquare An informative sign, which provides some background on the academy, marks the beginning of the trail.

Nearly as soon as you begin strolling along the path, you’ll be met with the ruins of the Elizabeth Female Academy.

Tina H, Contributed Photo

Ravaged by a fire in 1870, the charred ruins are all that remain of what was once “one of the premier institutions for young Southern women.”

National Park Planner, Contributed Photo

Opened in 1818, some historians bill it as the first college for women in the U.S.

mdah.ms.gov (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.

Public Domain/Wikimedia
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.

National Park Planner, Contributed Photo

The building sat abandoned for decades, and then, in 1870, met its demise when it caught fire and burned down – well, all but one wall.

Angel M/FourSquare

Today, you can enjoy close-up views of the ruins, along with an informative plaque.

Tina H, Contributed Photo

Well, what do you think? Are you ready to explore these ruins for yourself? Click here for more information.

Tina H, Contributed Photo

Angel M./FourSquare

An informative sign, which provides some background on the academy, marks the beginning of the trail.

National Park Planner, Contributed Photo

mdah.ms.gov

(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.)

Public Domain/Wikimedia

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.

Angel M/FourSquare

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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Address: Elizabeth Female Academy, 91 Old U.S. 84, Natchez, MS 39120, USA