MANSFIELD FEMALE COLLEGE MUSEUM

The first women’s institute of higher learning west of the Mississippi River, Mansfield Female College Museum is located about a half-hour’s drive south of Shreveport. Established by the Methodist Church in the 1850s, it served the needs of families in this region of Louisiana for more than 70 years until it was closed and merged with nearby Centenary College in Shreveport. During the Civil War, the college’s buildings served as hospitals for wounded soldiers from the nearby Battle of Mansfield, and a supposed ghost from that era even became something of a mascot for later classes of schoolgirls! The museum features much of the art, pottery and crafts produced by the students as well as a surprising array of memorabilia—rings, commencement dresses, artwork, yearbooks and other items—drawn from the alumnae of the institution and their families.

Open Wednesday thru Friday, 10 am – 4 pm

Guided tours by appointment.