Transylvania University records, 1795-1826
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Transylvania University records, 1795-1826
- Creator
- Transylvania University.
- Extent
- 2 Reels of microfilm.
- Subjects
- Adams, John, 1735-1826.
- Burr, Aaron, 1756-1836.
- Washington, George, 1732-1799.
- Jay, John, 1745-1829.
- Transylvania University.
- Education, Higher--History.
- Universities and colleges--Kentucky.
- Education--Kentucky--Finance.
- Lexington (Ky.)--History.
- Minutes.
- Resolutions.
- Lists
- Arrangement
- Arranged chronologically.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Chartered as a public school by the Virginia Assembly in 1780 as Transylvania Seminary, the institution, renamed Transylvania University in 1799, was the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains. Located in Lexington, Ky, Transylvania ranks among the elite small colleges as a distinguished liberal arts institution. As an educational pioneer, Transylvania played a significant role in developing the trans-Allegheny West and was the first college west of the Alleghenies to have a medical school (1817). Among its founding trustees were noted leaders such as Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky, George Rogers Clark, the Revolutionary War hero who won the Northwest from the British and Henry Clay. National Leaders such as George Washington and John Adams were included in the list of initial contributors.
- Scope and Content
- This microfilm collection of records is a copy of Transylvania founding documents from the Shane collection in the Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, Pa. Included are minutes from trustees meetings (1795-1826), a list of trustees, a list of meeting places of the board of trustees and resolutions passed by the trustees. Some financial records are present, including a record of pledges (1795) which lists George Washington, John Adams, John Jay amd Aaron Burr among the donors.
- Originals: Presbyterian Historical Society, 520 Witherspoon Building, Philadelphia, Pa.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
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Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
