Will Mayfield College

Will Mayfield College was a Baptist school located in Marble Hill, Missouri. From 1878 to 1934, the college offered four years of preparatory school and two years of junior college work.

Will Mayfield was founded by William Henderson Mayfield and Dr. H. J. Smith as the Mayfield-Smith Academy in Smithville (now Sedgewickville) in Bollinger County. It was governed by the St. Francois Baptist Association.

In 1880, the college was moved to the county seat at Marble Hill; the first building was completed in 1885. The name of the school was changed in 1903 to Will Mayfield College in honor of William Henderson Mayfield's son, Will, who was a graduate of Mayfield-Smith Academy and who had died the previous year at the age of 20.

Will Mayfield College permanently ceased operations in 1934 due to financial reasons. The Bollinger County Museum of Natural History is now operating on the grounds of the college. The Mayfield Cultural Center is housed in the original school house and the attached chapel, with stage and balcony. The building is used as a visual and performing arts space and is also available for use as a banquet facility for weddings and special occasions. Both the museum and cultural center are projects of the Will Mayfield Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)3 non profit organization.

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