Chalmers Institute facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Chalmers Institute
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Location | West Chulahoma Avenue, Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1837 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| MPS | Holly Springs MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003107 |
| Added to NRHP | June 28, 1982 |
The Chalmers Institute is a very old and important building in Holly Springs, Mississippi, USA. It was built way back in 1837. Over the years, this building has been home to many different schools. It was even the first university in Mississippi for a short time! Today, it is recognized as a special historic place. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982 because of its long and interesting history.
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Where is the Chalmers Institute?
The Chalmers Institute building is located on West Chulahoma Avenue. This street is in Holly Springs, Mississippi, a small town. Holly Springs is in Marshall County, Mississippi, which is in the southern part of the United States.
A Building with Many Lives
The Chalmers Institute building was built in 1837. It was designed in a style called Federal architecture. This style was popular for buildings in the early days of the United States. The building has two floors and a special kind of roof called a hip-roof.
The First University in Mississippi
When it first opened in 1837, the building was called the Holly Springs Literary Institution. A year later, in 1838, it became known as the University of Holly Springs. This was a big deal because it was the very first university in Mississippi! It opened nine years before the famous University of Mississippi. However, this first university closed down in 1839.
Medical and Law School
From 1839 to 1843, the building was used by a medical and law school. This school was run by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. After a few years, this school also closed. The building then sat empty until 1847.
The Chalmers Institute for Boys
In 1847, a Presbyterian minister named Reverend Samuel McKinney opened a new school in the building. He called it the Chalmers Institute. This school was for boys. Some important people went to school here. One student was George Clifton Myers, who later became a very important clerk for the Mississippi Supreme Court. Another student was William F. Taylor, who became a successful cotton businessman after the American Civil War.
One of the people who helped run the school was Reverend Daniel Baker. He was also a Presbyterian minister. He later went on to start two colleges in Texas: Daniel Baker College and Austin College. Reverend McKinney, who started the Chalmers Institute, even became the first president of Austin College.
After the Civil War
After the American Civil War, the Chalmers Institute reopened. It was led by Professor W. A. Anderson until 1869. The school did well for a while. But in 1878, a serious illness called yellow fever spread through Holly Springs. This caused the school to close down.
A year later, in 1879, another school opened in the building. It was called the Holly Springs Normal Institute. But this school also closed down after only a few years.
A Home and a Historic Project
At the start of the 1900s, the building became a private home. In 2009, a group called Preserve Marshall County/Holly Springs Inc. bought the building. This group works to save and fix up old buildings. In 2013, they received money from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to replace the roof. This helps make sure the Chalmers Institute building will be around for many more years!
Why is it Important?
The Chalmers Institute building is very important because of its history and its design. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since June 28, 1982. This means it is recognized as a special place in American history. It is also a Mississippi Landmark.
The building was probably designed by an architect named Joseph Coe. He also designed other important buildings in Holly Springs, like the Marshall County Courthouse.
