Historic Jefferson College was incorporated on May 13, 1802, by an act of the first General Assembly of the Mississippi Territory. The school was named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, and was the first educational institution in the Territory. The first buildings were erected on a portion of 45 acres donated by John and James FOSTER, and Randal GIBSON, and the first classes were held on January 7, 1811.

In 1830, the college purchased the Methodist Church building which had housed the 1817 Mississippi statehood convention.

The college was closed in 1863, due to the Civil War. Doors were not reopened until 1866. Around the turn of the century, the school was known as Jefferson Military College. That name was retained until its final closing in 1964.

Today Historic Jefferson College is an official state historic site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Restoration has been accomplished by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and has been aided by The Friends of Jefferson College, Inc., a non-profit corporation.

Visitors may tour several buildings, one of which includes a visitor reception area, staff offices, and a small display of photographs, history, and artifacts. A nature trail winds though the woods, and passes Ellicott Springs, the place of encampment of Andrew Ellicott who, in 1797, surveyed the 31st parallel to determine the dividing line between the territories of the United States and Spain.

MISSISSIPPI STATEHOOD CONVENTION SITE

This monument was erected to designate the site of the Methodist Church, now on the grounds of Historic Jefferson College in Washington, Adams Co., MS, where the 1817 Statehood Convention was held. The marker reads:

DAVID HOLMES, PRESIDENT OF THE CONVENTION AND DELEGATE FROM THE COUNTY OF ADAMS.

THE NAMES OF CATO WEST, DELEGATE FROM JEFFERSON COUNTY, AND JOHN SHAW, DELEGATE FROM FRANKLIN COUNTY DO NOT APPEAR ON THE ABOVE ROLL OF DELEGATES. JOHN SHAW DIED DURING THE SESSION OF THE CONVENTION. CATO WEST REFUSED TO SIGN THE CONSTITUION BECAUSE HE OPPOSED THE DIVISION OF MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA TERRITORY

Copyright Notice:

All files and graphics on this site are copyrighted by their creator. They may be linked to but may not be reproduced electronically or otherwise without specific permission from the county host and/or the contributor. Although public information is not in and of itself copyrightable, the format in which they are presented, the notes and comments, etc., are. It is however, quite permissable to print or save the files to a personal computer for personal use ONLY.

Unless otherwise indicated, written permission
by the webmaster is necessary in order to
download files and/or graphics.
 

Copyright 1996 -2006 Ellen Pack All Rights Reserved.