How did Mustard Seed Hill transform the historic Millersburg Military Institute. What was the educational legacy of Millersburg, Kentucky. How has the campus evolved from its military roots to serve the community today.
The Rich Educational Heritage of Millersburg, Kentucky
Millersburg, Kentucky, boasts a storied educational legacy that spans over 150 years. This small town has been home to several prestigious institutions, each contributing to its rich academic tradition. The history of education in Millersburg is a testament to the community’s enduring commitment to learning and growth.
Kentucky Wesleyan College: The Pioneer
The educational journey of Millersburg began with the establishment of Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1858. Founded by the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the college initially focused on training preachers. Over time, it expanded its curriculum to include business and liberal arts programs, broadening its appeal and educational scope.
Kentucky Wesleyan College’s presence in Millersburg was relatively short-lived but impactful. The college opened its doors in 1866 and operated in the town for 24 years before relocating to Winchester in 1890. This move marked a significant change for the institution, including the admission of women students for the first time. In 1951, the college found its permanent home in Owensboro, where it continues to thrive today.
The Birth of Millersburg Military Institute
Following the departure of Kentucky Wesleyan College, Millersburg’s educational legacy continued with the establishment of the Millersburg Military Institute (MMI) in 1893. Founded by Colonel C.M. Best, MMI quickly became a cornerstone of the community, carrying forward the town’s commitment to education.
Early Years and Growth
The Millersburg Military Institute started modestly but grew rapidly. The first class, consisting of just 17 students, graduated in 1898. By 1903, the school’s expansion necessitated the construction of additional buildings to accommodate its growing student body. This period of growth solidified MMI’s position as a prominent educational institution in Kentucky.
The Allen House: A Historic Campus Centerpiece
In 1920, when Colonel Best closed the school, the citizens of Millersburg rallied to keep the educational tradition alive. They formed a corporation to continue the military school and purchased the Sanford Allen home on Main Street. This Greek Revival house, built in 1852 by William Nunn, became known as the Allen House and served as the centerpiece of the MMI campus.
The Allen House’s transition from a private residence to an educational facility exemplifies the community’s dedication to preserving its educational heritage. Over the years, MMI expanded its campus around this historic building, adding classrooms, a gymnasium, and a chapel to support its growing programs.
The Evolution of Millersburg Military Institute
Throughout its history, the Millersburg Military Institute underwent several transformations, adapting to changing times while maintaining its core mission of educating and developing young people.
Peak Years and Challenges
During its peak, MMI boasted an enrollment of up to 250 students. The institute was known for its rigorous military-style education and discipline, attracting students from across the country. However, like many military academies, MMI faced challenges in the latter part of the 20th century and early 2000s as enrollment began to decline.
Rebranding and Final Years as a Military School
In 2003, in an effort to revitalize its image and appeal, the Millersburg Military Institute was renamed the Millersburg Military Academy. This rebranding effort aimed to modernize the school’s approach while maintaining its military traditions. The academy continued to operate as a military boarding school until 2006, marking the end of an era in Millersburg’s educational history.
U.S. Army Cadet Corps and Forest Hill Military Academy
The closure of Millersburg Military Academy in 2006 did not spell the end for the historic campus. In 2008, the property found new purpose when it was purchased by the U.S. Army Cadet Corps. This acquisition breathed new life into the facility, transforming it into the organization’s national headquarters and a National Cadet Training Center.
Forest Hill Military Academy: A Brief Revival
In August 2012, the military education tradition in Millersburg was briefly revived with the establishment of Forest Hill Military Academy. Operating on the former MMI campus, Forest Hill aimed to continue the legacy of military-style education in the community. However, this revival was short-lived, as the U.S. Army Cadet Corps began a reorganization in 2014, leading to the closure of the school.
Mustard Seed Hill: A New Chapter for a Historic Campus
The most recent chapter in the storied history of the Millersburg Military Institute campus began in 2016 when Community Ventures, a Kentucky non-profit organization, purchased the property. This acquisition marked the beginning of a new era for the historic site, now known as Mustard Seed Hill.
Symbolism and Community Vision
The name “Mustard Seed Hill” was chosen to symbolize how a small amount of faith can flourish into something great. This metaphor aptly describes the community’s enduring belief in the potential of this historic campus and its role in Millersburg’s future. The rebranding represents a shift from military education to a more diverse community-focused approach.
Community Ventures’ Mission
Community Ventures’ mission for Mustard Seed Hill is multifaceted, focusing on driving visitors to Millersburg through various initiatives. The campus now hosts a range of events, including weddings, corporate retreats, family reunions, and athletic activities. This diversification of use aims to breathe new life into the property while preserving its historic significance.
Additionally, the campus is now home to Bourbon Christian Academy, which provides educational services and fosters entrepreneurship. This integration of education and community engagement aligns with the property’s long-standing tradition of serving as a center for learning and growth.
The Impact of Mustard Seed Hill on Millersburg
The transformation of the former Millersburg Military Institute into Mustard Seed Hill has had a profound impact on the Millersburg community. This revitalization project represents more than just the preservation of historic buildings; it symbolizes the renewal of community spirit and economic opportunity.
Economic Revitalization
By attracting visitors through events and activities, Mustard Seed Hill is helping to stimulate the local economy. The influx of visitors for weddings, retreats, and other events brings much-needed revenue to local businesses and helps put Millersburg on the map as a destination.
Preserving Historical Legacy
While the campus no longer functions as a military academy, Mustard Seed Hill’s commitment to preserving the historical aspects of the property ensures that the legacy of the Millersburg Military Institute is not forgotten. The restoration and repurposing of historic buildings maintain a tangible link to the town’s rich educational past.
Community Engagement and Pride
The transformation of the campus into a community hub has reignited local pride and engagement. Residents of Millersburg once again have a central location for gatherings, events, and shared experiences, much like they did during the heyday of the military institute.
The Future of Mustard Seed Hill and Millersburg
As Mustard Seed Hill continues to evolve, it holds promise for the future of Millersburg. The project’s success could serve as a model for other small towns looking to revitalize historic properties and reinvigorate their communities.
Potential for Growth
The diverse use of the campus opens up numerous possibilities for future growth and development. From expanding educational programs to attracting more diverse events and activities, Mustard Seed Hill has the potential to become an even more significant driver of economic and cultural growth in the region.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
One of the key challenges and opportunities for Mustard Seed Hill will be balancing the preservation of its rich history with the need for innovation and modernization. Finding ways to honor the legacy of the Millersburg Military Institute while adapting to contemporary needs will be crucial for long-term success.
Lessons from Millersburg’s Educational Legacy
The story of Millersburg’s educational institutions, from Kentucky Wesleyan College to the Millersburg Military Institute and now Mustard Seed Hill, offers valuable lessons in community resilience, adaptability, and the enduring importance of education.
Adaptability in Education
The various transformations of educational institutions in Millersburg demonstrate the importance of adaptability in education. From a training school for preachers to a military academy and now a community center with educational components, the campus has continually evolved to meet changing needs and circumstances.
Community Support and Involvement
Perhaps the most significant lesson from Millersburg’s educational history is the power of community support. Time and again, when institutions faced challenges, the community rallied to find solutions and preserve the educational legacy of the town. This spirit of community involvement remains evident in the current Mustard Seed Hill project.
The Value of Historical Preservation
The preservation and repurposing of historic buildings on the campus highlight the value of maintaining tangible links to the past. These efforts not only preserve architectural heritage but also provide a sense of continuity and identity for the community.
In conclusion, the transformation of the Millersburg Military Institute into Mustard Seed Hill represents a new chapter in Millersburg’s rich educational history. By honoring the past while embracing new opportunities, this historic campus continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of its community. As Mustard Seed Hill grows and evolves, it stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of education and community in small-town America.
Mustard Seed Hill at Millersburg Military Institute
Mustard Seed Hill at the Millersburg Military Institute
Mustard Seed Hill has sought to restore the historic Millersburg Military Institute property to its former glory, while honoring the rich tradition and legacy. Even before it’s past as the home of the military institute, the Millersburg community was home to another institution of Kentucky education. Kentucky Wesleyan College was founded in 1858 by the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. While its campus has since relocated to Kentucky’s fourth largest city – Owensboro, the school originally opened its doors in 1866 in Millersburg, KY. What began as a training school for preachers quickly expanded with additional business and liberal arts curriculum being added. In 1890 the school was moved to Winchester and soon after women began to be admitted for the first time. In 1951, the school moved to its present location in Owensboro.
Building on its education roots, shortly after Kentucky Wesleyan moved to Winchester, the Millersburg Military Institute ( or “MMI”) was a military boarding school founded in 1893. The school was founded by Colonel C.M. Best, who purchased the land from the Kentucky Methodist Conference and converted the building into a military boarding school. In 1898, the first class of 17 students graduated from the school. By 1903, MMI’s growth had prompted the construction of additional buildings, but the school would soon face yet another turning point.
In 1920, the school was closed by Col. Best, but the citizens of Millersburg demonstrated their commitment to hosting this educational institution by establishing a corporation to continue the military school. The group purchased the home of Sanford Allen at the current location on Main Street in Millersburg. The Allen House, as it came to be known, is a Greek Revival home built in 1852, by William Nunn, a prominent citizen of Millersburg. Nunn, also supportive of education, later sold his home to the father of Sanford Allen, allowing it to become the center of this historic campus. In later years, MMI
added other facilities to the campus, including a classroom building, a gymnaisum, and a chapel.
Upwards of 250 students were enrolled during the school’s peak operating times; however, class sizes steadily declined through the early 2000’s. In 2003, Millersburg Military Institute was renamed the Millersburg Military Academy and operated as a military boarding school until 2006. In 2008, the property was purchased by the U.S. Army Cadet Corps, and converted into its national headquarters, as well as a National Cadet Training Center. The facility served again as a military boarding school as Forest Hill Military Academy starting in August 2012. In 2014, the US Army Cadet Corps began a reorganization and closed the school.
Community Ventures, a Kentucky non-profit organization, purchased the campus in 2016 and the campus took on the name Mustard Seed Hill, symbolizing how a small amount of faith can flourish into something great.. For the Millersburg community, the campus continues to represents history, pride, and opportunity, hearkening back to a time when this community and school supported one another, a time when a thriving MMI meant job oppotunities and valuable investment into the greater town of Millersburg, and a time when its citizens watched as generations of young students achieved greatness before their very eyes.
The Community Ventures mission at Mustard Seed Hill is focused on driving visitors to Millersburg through events, weddings, corporate retreats, family reunions and athletics. Bourbon Christian Academy also resides on the campus and provides additional entrepreneurship and momentum for growth.
http://mustardseedhill.events/about/
Millersburg Military Institute – Abandoned
The Millersburg Military Institute is a former military academy in Millersburg, Kentucky.
History
Col. T.F. Johnson’s Female Seminary, a branch of his military school in Blue Lick Springs, opened in 1850 in the Baterton residence in Millersburg. 4 The Seminary closed in 1852 but reopened as the Millersburg Male and Female Seminary in September 1852. 5 It was operated by Rev. John Miller, pastor of Methodist Episcopal Church South. The Seminary passed into the hands of Rev. George S. Savage in 1854 and the name of the school was changed to the Millersburg Male & Female Collegiate Institute in 1856.
6
Rev. T.F. Shellman began work to establish a male and female conference school in September 1857, purchased acreage outside of Millersburg in 1858, and laid the foundations of a large school building. 7
The Kentucky Conference met in Millersburg in September to propose to the stockholders of the Millersburg Male & Female Collegiate Institute that, if they enlarged the building and converted it to a male-only college, the Conference would endow the school with $100,000. 8 The stockholders agreed to the offer and the Male Department of the Millersburg Male & Female Collegiate Institute was set off as the Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1859 while the Female Department continued on as the Millersburg Female College. 9
Facing overcrowded classrooms in the mid-1860s, some male students of the Kentucky Wesleyan attended the Female College. The Female College was consumed in a fire on December 29, 1878, but continued to operate the very next day in rented houses throughout the city.
A new structure for the Female College was built between March and September 1879. 9
After suffering financial hardship, Kentucky Wesleyan was sold to Rev. Morris Evans in 1884, 13 and given to Rev. Cadesman Pope in 1885. In June 1897, Pope retired and Rev. C.C. Fisher assumed the leading role. Kentucky Wesleyan relocated to Winchester in 1890. 11
Fire once again struck the Female College on October 9, 1907, which was quickly replaced. 14 The Female College was renamed to Millersburg College in 1915.
Millersburg Military Institute
The Millersburg Training School was established by Col. C.M. Best of Virginia in the former Kentucky Wesleyan building in 1893. 17 The condition of the structure prohibited students from using it until renovations were completed in 1898, at which point the school’s name was changed to Millersburg Military Institute. 15 A new classroom building was erected in 1903 that allowed the Institute to enroll 28 cadets.
17 Other buildings were later added to hike the enrollment cap to 70.
Best sold the campus to the county in 1920 for Bourbon County High School, however, the Institute continued to meet in one of the school buildings. 15 In the spring of 1921, the old Allen homestead was acquired and used as the administration offices for the Institute. 3 15 Over time, six buildings were constructed. 15 16 In the 1930s, the Millersburg College became the home of the Junior Division of the Millersburg Military Institute, 14 and the campus grew to encompass the following buildings:
- Allen House: Administrative offices, faculty apartments, infirmary
- Gamble Hall: Cafeteria on the upper level with a student center and post exchange on the lower level
- Library
- Memorial Gymnasium
- Miller Hall: Dormitory for 70 students and three faculty members
- Moffett Hall: Junior ROTC activities
- Rankin Hall: 13 classrooms
- Rees Athletic Field: Football, softball, baseball, and track with tennis courts nearby
Millersburg Military Institute closed in early 2003 over financial concerns, but after a flurry of support from parents and alumni through fundraising, the students were able to complete the school year and have a commencement for the graduating seniors.
2 The school was able to reopen in 2004, but by 2005, it carried $1 million in debt. With such uncertainty, enrollment dropped from 80 students in 2003 to 45 students by early 2006.
The Institute began to explore the possibility of selling the school or rebranding it as Forest Hill Preparatory School in a bid to attract a more diverse student body and boost enrollment. 1 To try and fund the rebranding, the Institute attempted to auction school and military memorabilia in July with little success. The plans to de-emphasize military education also caught the ire of alumni who took the conversion news with disappointment. 2
On August 10, 2006, the Millersburg Military Institute closed after 113 years of operation. 1
United States Army Cadet Corps
The United States Army Cadet Corps, of Dayton, Pennsylvania, purchased the Millersburg Military Institute on September 12, 2008, with the goal of using it as its new national headquarters and training center for various Corps summer training programs.
18 The Corps wanted to offer an “army-oriented career exploration” program for males and females aged 12 to 18 and to give students a firsthand view of military life.
The Corps hosted the Millersburg Military Ball on April 24, 2009, with a keynote speech by James McEachin, an actor and a Silver Star and Purple Heart veteran of the Korean War who was also an Army Reserve Ambassador and a member of the Corps Board of Advisers. 20 The city hosted the Parade of Cadets on the following day that evolved into a celebration of military heritage. 21
Forest Hill Military Academy reopened on the grounds of the former Millersburg Military Institute in August 2012, which included a residential military high school and junior college. 12
In March 2013, a Pendleton County mother filed suit against the Corps, alleging that a former camp instructor made sexual advances against her son and that there was misconduct against her daughter by a fellow cadet.
24 In June, a fire inspector ordered the Corps to evacuate 70 teenagers and some staffers from two buildings after finding safety concerns, which included exposed electrical wiring, missing fire extinguishers, broken fire alarm systems, and missing or defective smoke detectors. 24
The state Attorney General filed suit in the county against the Corps in August 2013 over concerns of mismanagement at the Corps, which led to the resignation of the school’s leadership and board. 24 A court-appointed receiver was put in place to oversee the school’s finances and day-to-day operations until a new board was installed.
In September, following an investigation by the State Police, a grand jury indicted a former school employee on three counts of first-degree sexual abuse. 24 The court-appointed receiver filed an affidavit in December alleging that former Corps employees were interfering with the school’s operation.
Forest Hill Military Academy closed its boarding program in December 2014 over low enrollment 22 but reopened in August 2015 as the Millersburg Military Institute, 23 focusing on holding camps for high school youths.
22 It closed in September after the Corps filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Mustard Seed Hill
Community Ventures acquired the former school for $450,000 on November 9, 2016, and began transforming the dilapidated campus into Mustard Seed Hill. 25 The historic Allen House was renovated into an event space for weddings and special events while the second floor became office space for the non-profit 25 while the gymnasium was restored for use by the Bourbon Christian Academy with a total project cost of $8.5 million. 26 Financing was derived from a $3 million bank loan, tax credits, grants, and fundraising. Mustard Seed Hill was dedicated on June 11, 2018.
Community Ventures plans to renovate a third building into ten guest rooms for weddings and corporate retreats and restore a fourth building so that it could start a boarding school. 26
Gallery
Share
Sources
- Lannen, Steve.
“Historic military academy surrenders, closes doors.” Herald Leader [Lexington] 18 Aug. 2006. Web. 23 Aug. 2006. - Lannen, Steve. “Millersburg military school to stay closed.” Herald Leader [Lexington] 19 Aug. 2006. Web. 23 Aug. 2006.
- “Administration.” Millersburg Military Institute. 14 Feb. 2004. Web. 23 Aug. 2006.
- Newspaper clippings in a scrapbook kept by Lavina Letton.
- Lewis, Alvin Fayette. History of Higher Education in Kentucky. Washington, 1899. 237.
- Welch, James R. History of Education in Bourbon County. Diss. University of Kentucky, 1933. N.p.: n.p., 1933.
- Lewis, Alvin Fayette. History of Higher Education in Kentucky. Washington, 1899. 126-127.
- Ibid., 127
- Perrin, W. H. History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties. Chicago, 1882. 127.
- Ibid., 238.
- Lewis, Alvin Fayette. History of Higher Education in Kentucky. Washington, 1899. 126-130.
- “Background.” U.S. Army Cadet Corps. 2012. Web. 6 Dec. 2012. Article.
- Lewis, Alvin Fayette. History of Higher Education in Kentucky. Washington, 1899. 238-239.
- Millersburg College Catalogue. 1915-1916.
- Clarke, Nannie Deye. Bourbon the beautiful. 1927. 5, 13.
* Primary source for 4-15 above: Booth, Marietta and Mrs. Price Houston Jr. History of Millersburg, Kentucky. n.d. - “Education for Life and Leadership.” Millersburg Military Institute. Brochure.
- Scott, Jeanie. “Best chose Millersburg because of choice location.” Bourbon Times [Paris] 2 Dec. 1996: 1, 18. Print.
- Warren, Jim. “Summer military outfit purchases Millersburg site.” Herald Leader [Lexington] 12 Sept. 2008. Web. 12 Sept. 2008.
- Warren, Jim. “Millersburg Military Institute saved by eBay.” Herald Leader [Lexington] 12 Sept. 2008. Web. 12 Sept. 2008.
- “Millersburg Military Ball.” United States Army Cadet Corps 2009. 9 June 2009.
- “Parade of Cadets.” United States Army Cadet Corps 2009. 9 June 2009.
- Kocher, Greg. “Former Millersburg Military Institute files for bankruptcy, canceling master commissioner’s sale.” Herald-Leader [Lexington], 30 Sept. 2015.
- “Military academy to close temporarily, will re-emerge as Millersburg Military Institute.” KyForward, 11 Dec. 2014.
- Kocher, Greg. “Planned rebirth of Millersburg Military Institute this fall is uncertain after years of turmoil.” Herald-Leader [Lexington], 7 Feb. 2015.
- Musgrave, Beth. “Millersburg Military Institute gets a new owner and a new life.” Herald-Leader [Lexington], 28 Nov. 2016.
- Musgrave, Beth. “Can the renovation of Millersburg Military Institute revive this tiny Kentucky town?.” Herald-Leader [Lexington], 8 Jun. 2018.
“Historic military academy surrenders, closes doors.” Herald Leader [Lexington] 18 Aug. 2006. Web. 23 Aug. 2006.
Washington, 1899. 126-130.
9 June 2009.Military education in the USA in the project of Sarah Blessener — Bird In Flight
After visiting the military-patriotic camps in Russia, Sarah Blesener, an American, traveled the same way in her native country.
The photographer traveled to 12 states to find out how teenagers are raised to be future soldiers and simply patriotic citizens.
Sara Blasener
27 years
American documentary photographer. She has appeared in The Guardian, The New York Times, The Observer, Newsweek, Wired, Der Spiegel, Zeit, Amnesty International and TIME.
In 2017, the total defense budget of NATO countries amounted to almost a trillion dollars. Two-thirds of the funding comes from the United States, the state with the largest military budget in the world; it also allocates 3.5% of its GDP for military needs.
The states are also laying in the defense an impressive human resource: the number of military-patriotic camps and clubs in the country is growing. More and more new children come there who want to learn how to shoot, delve into military history, and in the future, perhaps become military personnel.
— A few years ago I filmed patriotic camps abroad.
When I published the Russian pictures, the American media began to almost point a finger: they say, look how they do it all in Russia, they are rabid nationalists.
But there are similar, if not identical, patriotic education programs in the US. Why is what we consider patriotism in our own country, in relation to others we call nationalism? With such thoughts, I decided to shoot the next part of the project in the States.
Why do we call patriotism in our own country nationalism in relation to others?
There are several military-patriotic camps in America, and the JROTC program, a reserve officer training corps, is popular in high schools. I started with the Young Marines, a non-profit patriotic program that teaches young children about the military.
Gradually one program led me to another; I learned about some from conversations, since not all programs are widely advertised. I traveled to 12 states (New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Kentucky, Nebraska) and photographed participants in 10 state patriotic education programs.
Pupils can stay in summer patriotic camps from five days to five weeks.
Camps were located both in cities and in rural areas. Some of them are summer, some function during the school year, and some only work on weekends. Schoolchildren can stay in summer patriotic camps from five days to five weeks. Participation in programs is free throughout the country.
Each camp has its own goals and objectives. In some children, they want to introduce the lifestyle of the military: enhanced military training, constant training, the development of tactical skills and shooting skills. Others emphasize history, the study of the Constitution, and “American values.” There are also those who study religion more and how to live in the USA according to its norms.
In general, it turned out that there are more patriotic camps and clubs in the States than in Russia. But less is known about them. It turned out to be much more difficult to get access to these camps in the United States than in Russia.
I spent a year on the American part of the project. I needed different opinions, different views. I even went to pick up the children from the camps to their homes to shoot without a uniform and in a different setting.
It turned out to be much more difficult to get access to these camps in the USA than in Russia.
Some program participants come from military families themselves, others go to camps and clubs to serve in the army. Someone just wants to unwind or comes for company with friends. It cannot be said that these children are from unhappy families.
All pages – Unionpedia
All pages – Unionpedia
New! Download Unionpedia on your Android™ device!
Install
Faster access than a browser!
All pages Previous (Tazakendi (Marneuli municipality, Alkendi)) Next (Taysaev, Kazbek Kutsukovich)
From:
