The republic of Texas charted Nacogdoches University in 1845 to fulfill east Texas settler’s ideals for higher education. The university occupied various downtown buildings before this building was completed in time for classes in fall 1859. Local citizens underwrote the projects with donations of money, materials, land, labor and foodstuffs. During the civil war the structure served as a confederate hospital and functioned as a headquarters for a federal regiment during reconstruction. The building served the university until deeded to the Nacogdoches independent school district in 1904. It continued as a educational facility until the 1960s when its care and use became the charge of the Nacogdoches historical society and later the federation of women’s clubs. After restoration, the structure became available for community functions as well for a museum dedicated for a 19th century education, a Confederate Hospital, and community events.

  This building has been in continuous use for school purposes, except for two years during and after the Civil War. When the war began in 1861, most male faculty and students joined the war effort while female students stayed to carry on the work on the home front. The building was then used as a hospital and convalescent quarters for the confederate soldiers because of the hard times during the war. After the war and the reconstruction period, the building was again used as a school. Younger as well as older students were accepted as students. management was by various groups including The Catholic Church, The Masons, and Kechie College. By the 1890’s, local trustees again assumed control and gradually the education program melded into Nacogdoches High School.