Kentucky College for Women

Caldwell Institute in 1854, the Kentucky legislature authorized a charter for the Henderson Female Institute. The institute's board of trustees selected a site for its campus and began to raise funds. A four-story brick building was constructed in 1859. That same year, Professor A. E. Sloan became the institute's president. Caldwell Institute struggled to operate during the Civil War. Sloan resigned in 1864 and was replaced by Professor Augustine Hart. It president was Rev. John Montgomery. In the 1882–83 school year, the college had 130 students. The college absorbed Bell Seminary, a local girls' school in 1885. Its trustees also adopted a plan for new buildings. Conkling's gift was earmarked for Morgan Memorial Hall, honoring his friend, Mrs. Florence Morgan, who had supported women's education. == Campus ==

Caldwell College was located in Danville, Kentucky on the site of today's Danville High School. Its main building was West Hall. In 1882, the college could accommodate forty boarding students. It included a basketaball court, a bowling alley, and a swimming pool. The campus also featured an aesthetic garden. == Academics ==

Before 1902, the college's curriculum focused on high school education and a college preparatory certificate. In 1902, it was also an accredited junior college. Its junior college coursework included English, history, Latin, mathematics, modern languages, and sciences. Students also had a choice of electives, including art and music. The music department taught harmony, music history, music theory, and instruction in the pianoforte, violin, and vocal performance. The college included a two-year program in home economics, with related classrooms and laboratories. The college began offering four years of college education and a B.A. degree in 1922. == Student life ==

Caldwell College encouraged its students to participate in sports, including field hockey, soccer, and tennis. In addition, there was the Caldwell College Broom Brigade, consisting of twenty members which drilled with brooms and a drummer. Caldwell College had a chapter of Kappa Delta from June 1907 to 1908. The Kentucky College for Women hosted an Artist Series that brought vocalists and instrumental artists to perform for the students. A dietitian to oversee the students' meals. An alumnae association was established in 1882, during a reunion of graduates of Calwell Female Institute. == Notable people ==

Alumnae • Kate Breckenridge Karpeles, medical doctor, first woman to be appointed a contract surgeon by the United States Army Board of Trustees • Ormond Beatty, educator and seventh president of Centre College == See also ==