Seminaries & Academies Legislation Overview

The significance of higher education was as important to Kentuckians in the 1700's as it is today. The Virginia General Assembly and the Kentucky General Assembly approved legislation that provided land for Academies and Seminaries throughout the Commonwealth. The legislation also donated tax-free land in the former Military District, located South of Green River, to various academies for speculative purposes. (Portions of the land allotments could be sold and the proceeds used to defray expenses of the schools, such as "erecting their public buildings, purchasing a library and philosophical apparatus".) Other Acts allow Trustees to be compensated (in land) for locating unappropriated land suitable for seminary/academy ownership.

This website includes complete text of various Acts of the Virginia General Assembly and Kentucky General Assembly regarding Academies & Seminaries in the Commonwealth. Additional Acts will be added as they are identified.