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"The first orphan home under a board of directors, and supported by churches of Christ, since the beginning of the Restoration was organized in Midway, Ky. The charter for this home, known as the Kentucky Female Orphan School, was granted by the General Assembly February 23, 1847.

Although the name of this institution was Kentucky Female Orphan School, it was also a home.

Dr. Pinkerton was interested in the education of girls it was natural that his desire to be of help to orphan girls should take the form of a school which should be to them not only a home, but also a means of education.'

According to the last known history of the Kentucky Female Orphan School, written by Harry Giovannoli and published in 1930: “…for a long period prior to 1850, when a well-planned common school system was inaugurated, and in fact for many years afterward in remote sections of the State, thousands of children capable of becoming part and parcel of the bone and sinew of the Commonwealth were denied the poorest educational advantages.”

Females were routinely excluded and orphan girls had virtually no hope of breaking through the social barriers until the arrival of Lewis Letig Pinkerton—“the young physician, evangelist, and educator, who had surrendered promises of a brilliant professional career in another State to come to Kentucky…to preach the unsearchable blessings of the gospel to rich and poor alike.”

Rev. Pinkerton, minister at Midway’s first Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), dared to dream a dream of reaching out to female orphans to prepare them mainly for careers as teachers, heretofore underpaid and all too often poorly prepared. Rev. Pinkerton and other residents of the little town of Midway and Woodford County successfully waged the campaign to raise the initial funds to meet a challenge that would inspire others for the next 157 years.

Midway College, formerly the Kentucky Female Orphan School, was the dream of Dr. Lewis Letig Pinkerton, a young physician and minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Together with James Ware Parrish, the Midway Christian Church elder who raised the funds necessary to open the school, they joined with other progressive thinkers to launch a revolutionary educational experiment. In antebellum Kentucky, the few girls who received formal education were taught to read only because it was considered necessary for their role as mothers. When they reached adulthood, they would read the Bible to their children. Female orphans were rarely offered even this meager amount of schooling. Without education or parental support and concern, the most many could hope for was a lifetime of drudgery as a maid or laborer. The liberal arts curriculum and career preparation proposed by Dr. L. L. Pinkerton was a comprehensive solution to this tragic situation, and the benefits reached far beyond the individual girls who attended the school. Dr. L. L. Pinkerton’s dream became a reality as Midway-educated teachers went forth to share their learning with youngsters throughout the state and region. In the years since its inception, the institution has evolved to meet the educational needs of women while preserving the goals and standards of its founders. Today, Midway College has achieved its goal of excellence in education, providing advanced instruction in a broad range of subjects based upon a strong liberal arts curriculum. The campus and programs have grown with the school’s enrollment, yet many of the traditional ideals Midway was founded on have remained constant. The college's affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) remains strong and many members of the student body are active members of Christian Church congregations.

This academic balance remains true to Dr. L. L. Pinkerton's vision, and is as carefully structured to enrich today's student as was the original curriculum in pre-Civil War times.

 Although a charter was procured in 1846, the orphan school did not open until Oct. 3, 1849.  Fourteen pupils were present at the formal opening.  Pinkerton remarked on the occasion:  “Let the universal church remember one of the parting sayings of her dear Redeemer to His disciples, ‘[T]he poor ye have always with you.’ He then gathered the unfortunates in His arms and laid them upon the bosom of His church.  How shall we answer to Him in the day of eternity if this sacred charge should remain neglected?” (pp. 37-38).

Herman Farrell, assistant professor of theater at UK and a Midway resident, introduced the reading of the 1933 Midway Pageant. Brenda Jackson (left) read the parts of Chroniclers #VII and VIII. Her mother, Cora Emma Washington, played the role of the 'Spirit of the Past'.

Brenda Jackson (left) read the parts of Chroniclers #VII and VIII. Her mother, Cora Emma Washington, played the role of the 'Spirit of the Past'.

Helen Rentch (left), as the 'Spirit of Midway', prepares to pass the torch to the 'Spirit of the Future'. Also appearing here - Leslie Penn, Pam Thomas, Blythe Jamieson, Phil Dare, and Cora Emma Washington, the 'Spirit of the Past'.