Central Masonic Institute of Selma, Alabama

Soon after Alabama officially became a state, settlers came from the coastal region and started communities.  Selma witnessed its rise along with surrounding communities. Local citizens, benefiting from the agricultural advantages to establish businesses, transportation, and necessary government agencies, felt the need to provide educational opportunities for their young people.  As a result, numerous schools were established in the 1830's and 1840's in the various communities. 

In 1839, the Ladies Educational Society of Selma was incorporated with the goal of creating schools.  The first school was the Dallas Academy in 1839.  The next school the Society helped promote was the Central Masonic Institute, incorporated on February 18, 1848 by the Local Fraternal Lodge No. 27. 

According to the Act of Incorporation, the founders were William Hendrix, Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter, Rufus Green, Grand Master of the Lodge of Alabama, and locals Charles G. Edwards, Nimrod E. Benson, John M. Strong, William Sewell, William M. Lapsley, William Wadell, Jr., George E. Gayle, Wiley Milton, John R. Somerfield, Abner Jones, and Thomas B. Carson.  The purpose of the school was "to educate youth of both sexes." Consequently, a three story building was erected on a site at the end of Alabama Avenue. 

The first president was Rev. S. R. Wright,  a Presbyterian minister, who came from being president of Marion Female Seminary. During his tenure, according to the 1851 catalog, the Institute consisted of instruction from primary to collegiate levels.  For the male department, boarding in a separate building,  the Institute offered a program patterned after the West Point Military Academy. 

In 1852, the name of the Institute was officially changed to "The Masonic University of the State of Alabama."  At this time, the University seemed to be facing financial problems.  Rev. Wright resigned the next year to become head of another female seminary in Uniontown. 

The next president was Prof. Alexander Winchell, coming from the Mesopotamia Female Seminary in Eutaw, Alabama.  While, according to the Masonic University advertisement, the school, despite its name, was " no longer under the control of the Masonic fraternity, "  and goes on to say,  "the president alone is responsible for its future character."  The male department evidently was dropped, for the advertisement says, "the Institution, as its name implies, occupies a position above that of normal female seminaries."

Unfortunately, tragedy ultimately led to the University's demise. In the fall of 1853 a yellow fever epidemic struck Selma.  According to a newspaper article of October 31, 1853, panic resulted and citizens fled "en mass ... about 300 out of  3,500 only remaining."  It was reported that  "all business is suspended, the schools are disbanded. "

Prof. Winchell, at the time, was elected professor of Physics and civil engineering at the University of Michigan and began his duties in January of 1854.  The building was later converted to a hospital, an office building, and is now the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum.  

-Dr. Paul G. Reitzer
Perry County Historical Society