Oxford Female Institute
Also known as: Oxford College
Why it's listed
Oxford Female Institute is a three-story red-brick building in Oxford, Ohio, with a tin gable roof, stone foundation, and a main east facade about 200 feet long. Its center bears a pediment and a two-story portico with fluted Tuscan columns. An octagonal "observatory" marks the northeast corner. The oldest section dates to 1850, followed by a south building in 1856, a joining central block in 1884, a north wing by 1888 and a west wing section in 1894. The architect is unknown. The institution was founded in 1849 by Rev. John Witherspoon Scott, twelve years before Vassar College, and was the only women's college in central and southern Ohio. It later became Oxford College. After financial difficulties, Miami University bought it in 1929 and added neo-Georgian details and a memorial lounge honoring Caroline Scott Harrison, the founder's daughter. The building is used as a women's dormitory.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as a very early college founded for women only. Established in 1849 by Rev. John Witherspoon Scott, twelve years before Vassar College, it was the only women's college in central and southern Ohio and a pioneer institution for women's higher education in the Midwest. It is also tied to Caroline Scott Harrison, the founder's daughter and first President General of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 76001379, listed April 26, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | High St. and College Ave., Oxford |
|---|---|
| County | Butler County |
| Listed | April 26, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76001379 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Areas of significance | Education |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Owned by Miami University and in use as a women's dormitory; condition marked good and altered. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 39.50995, -84.74600 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 76001379.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7115328
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.