Welcome to Eleutherian College

Sitting atop what local residents refer to as College Hill, Eleutherian College stands as a beacon to education and the freedom it provided, especially to free or self-emancipated Blacks in the decade leading up to the Civil War.

The three-story building, constructed in 1854 with locally quarried rough-cut limestone, includes a first-floor chapel with six two-story windows, and classrooms on the second and third floors.

Contact us to arrange for a private or group tour with our knowledgeable volunteer guides and step back into some amazing history.

Support Eleutherian College

Get involved with Historic Eleutherian College! Your donation helps to support our mission and preservation efforts.

Support the College »

Storms damage trees at HEC properties

UPDATE!

We received numerous donations, one was for $2,000, to cover the costs of cleaning up the properties after the June thunderstorms! The HEC Board of Directors wishes to thank everyone who helped out; we are humbled and extremely grateful for the support we receive from people in Jefferson County, throughout the State of Indiana, and elsewhere. We really couldn’t do this without you.

Severe thunderstorms at the end of June downed trees and left many homes in the Lancaster and Dupont areas of Jefferson County, Indiana, without power for hours and in some cases days.
Many large trees and branches fell on properties owned by Historic Eleutherian College Inc., board President Jan Vetrhus said Tuesday. Vetrhus and other board members toured the properties at the College, the Hoyt House, and College Hill Cemetery, just north of the college building.

Share Your Story

Do you have stories to share about your recent visit, or your family’s history with Eleutherian College? We’d love to hear them!

Share My Story »