CLARKE COUNTY, GA - HISTORY Lucy Cobb Institute Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Carl Vinson Institute Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm 1859 Gov. Joseph E. Brown signed legislation incorporating the Lucy Cobb Institute "for the education of young ladies, in the town of Athens." Thomas R.R. Cobb, Henry Hull Jr., Henry R.J. Long, John H. Newton, and Stephen Thomas were designated as initial trustees of the school that over 130 years later would become the home of the University of Georgia's Carl Vinson Institute of Government. http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/lucycobb.htm (Historical Marker) LUCY COBB INSTITUTE (1858-1931) Lucy Cobb Institute, a College for Girls, was established in 1858 through the effort of T.R.R. Cobb and named for his daughter, Lucy. Later, three of his nieces taught here: Miss Mildred Rutherford, Principal, Mrs. Mary Ann Lipscomb, Mrs. Bessie Rutherford Mell. Closed as a school for girls in 1931, it serves as a dormitory for girls attending the University of Georgia. Nearby is Seney-Stoval Chapel, named for George I. Seney who contributed the funds to build it and Miss Nellie Stovall who solicited his help. He also gave a pipe organ and paintings for the walls of Lucy Cobb. "Her Alumnae Rise Up and Call Her Blessed" 029-8 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1958 (Note: Shortly after this marker was erected, the Lucy Cobb Institute was closed as a dormitory for University of Georgia female students. Subsequently, it was used as faculty offices and for other purposes until being closed in the late 1970s. Thereafter, the condition of buildings in the complex deteriorated rapidly. In the mid-1980s, Congress appropriated funding to restore the complex in recognition of former U.S. Congressman Carl Vinson. The university unit known as the Institute of Government was renamed the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Restoration of the facility took several years, but was completed in the early 1990s, and the Institute moved into Lucy Cobb Institute complex.. 200 North Milledge Avenue ACTS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, PASSED IN MILLEDGEVILLE, AT AN ANNUAL SESSION IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1859. PART. II. LOCAL AND PRIVATE LAWS. TITLE I. ACADEMIES, COLLEGES, COMMON SCHOOLS, TEACHERS OF POOR CHILDREN, &C. I. ACADEMIES. ART. II. COLLEGES. 1859 Vol. 1 -- Page: 83 Sequential Number: 108 Law Number: (No. 106.) Full Title: An Act to incorporate the "Lucy Cobb Institute" for the education of young ladies, in the town of Athens. 24. SECTION 1st. Be it enacted, &c., That Henry Hull, Jr., John H. Newton, Henry R. J. Long, Stephen Thomas and Thomas R. R. Cobb, and their successors in office, as Trustees of the "Lucy Cobb Institute," in the town of Athens be, and they are hereby incorporated under the style and corporate name of the "Lucy Cobb Institute" and as such may sue and be sued, may hold property real and personal, accept donations and legacies, and do all other acts necessary to the educational purposes for which the same is organized, any law to the contrary notwithstanding. Approval Date: Assented to, Dec. 2d, 1859. 1872 Vol. 1 -- Page: 488 Sequential Number: 375 Law Number: (No. 375 -- O. No. 370.) Full Title: An act to amend the act incorporating Lucy Cobb Institute, assented to December 2, 1859. Section 1. The General Assembly of the State of Georgia do enact, That the above recited act be amended by the addition of the following section: Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That the said board of trustees shall have full power and authority to grant diplomas to the graduates of said institution, and to confer all such degrees as are usually conferred by female colleges, upon such persons as the board of trustees may determine. Approval Date: Approved August 26, 1872.