Andrew College keepsake finds its way home

During the 1850’s, Andrew Female College had two literary societies, Andrew and Taylor. People were often invited to speak or lecture. In these literary societies, a member of the Andrew Female College faculty offered words of advice and wisdom to the members. Teachers and pupils became close friends through the literary societies. Apparently, the literary societies dissolved during the time Andrew Female College was used as a hospital during the Civil War.

The Andrew College Archives, through the generosity of Jeff Bannon of Pensacola , Florida , recently acquired a special piece of history from this era. Mr. Bannon had placed the badge (pictured above) on sale on the Internet. After several days of communicating with him through e-mail, Mr. Bannon decided to take the badge off sale and donate it to the Andrew College Archives.

This is the only badge of its type that is known. The front spells the word Taylor in the star points. The year 1859 is under the inscription Suspicimus Astra. On the back, the words Mary F. McNealy and Andrew Female College Georgia are inscribed. Mr. Bannon said that he bought the badge at an antique store in Pensacola . It had been purchased at an estate sale in northern Florida .

This badge is a historical gem for the Archives. A special thank you goes to Jeff Bannon for his consideration of the history of the College. This badge also illustrates how easily history can be lost or found. So far, no documentation as to the identity of Mary F. McNealy has been found. 

If you have any memorabilia or forms from your days at Andrew College , please consider donating them to the Andrew College Archives (contact Karan B. Pittman at 229.732.5944). Organizational constitutions, jewelry, clothing, class schedules, programs, sports schedules, chapel programs, Choraliers concerts, and pictures from your years at Andrew are an invaluable help in documenting the history of Andrew College .

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