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To Live Forever Tour Stop: Elizabeth Female Academy

A haunted ruin. An ancient highway. Faint swishes of skirts through corridors. A cacophony of whispered crushes mixed with bird song. According to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Elizabeth Female Academy was the first college for women in America. Whether that's true or not, I saw a scene there on a chill morning in October. It played out like technicolor on the side of ragged brick. All that was missing was a very special character.

A haunted ruin. An ancient highway. Faint swishes of skirts through corridors. A cacophony of whispered crushes mixed with bird song.

According to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Elizabeth Female Academy was the first college for women in America. Whether that’s true or not, I saw a scene there on a chill morning in October. It played out like technicolor on the side of ragged brick.

All that was missing was a very special character.

I dug into the history of the place and — voila! — I found him. A certain celebrated bird buff taught at Elizabeth Female Academy in 1822. His French-tinged voice rumbled through time and slammed into me. I think I developed a little crush while I was writing him.

to live forever book, natchez trace, elizabeth female academy

And now, for today’s Reader Question, filmed on site at Elizabeth Female Academy.

Click here to see the best photos from Day Two of my Natchez Trace 444-mile walk: Andra Watkins Tumblr

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to live forever andra watkinsRead the book that started all this nonsense. To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis is available in paperback and e-book formats at these great places: Click to Purchase To Live Forever.

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43 Comments

  1. Loved the photo of you eating the fried chicken, Andra. And it was fun hearing your voice. Have a great day, my friend. My feet ache just thinking about you!

    Hugs from Ecuador,
    Kathy

  2. I wish I was along for this stretch. The academy calls to me somehow. Have a fabulous walk today.

    1. The ruins and the history of the Elizabeth Academy was one of the wonderful discoveries for me in preparing to write the book.

    1. I walk fast, so being active will help keep me warm….cooling off is a bit harder.

  3. Perfect spot to answer that question, darling — I loved that character so much — and the ambiguity is great.

    1. Thanks so much for the question…I hope it inspires others to ask questions along the way.

  4. Love the history I learned and am learning along the way. I had no idea that the academy existed nor that your French character had been through the region. Too cool.

    1. If the book helps awaken learning about the history and geography of the Trace and its characters, I will be quite pleased.

  5. It’s exactly the way I’d imagined it from the description in the book!

  6. Ah, Jacques…an amazing story on his own. I wonder how many hotel bills he skipped on, leaving the decomposing remains of his feathery models behind.

  7. I love your voice. And I love ruins. Elizabeth Female Academy would easily become of my favorite spots if I lived close enough.

    1. All the discussion on things to ‘pack’ and I didn’t think to pack spray paint….but really, the only tags I do are #hashtags!

  8. SO glad you enjoyed that chicken! 🙂 I’m learning a lot from the book and your journey. LOVED THE BOOK!! 🙂 🙂

  9. Oh so very beautiful. Love the photos. I’m with you in spirit! 😀

  10. Well, I have my theory as to the answer to Helena’s query! Loved the photos; and you may have all the fried chicken you want, I’d give my eyeteeth for that Clabber Girl sign on the wall behind you!

  11. Great photos Andra, it looks like your first two days have been filled with beautiful scenery! And some chicken and snacks. 🙂

    1. Beautiful scenery is always helped by beautiful weather….today, not so much.

  12. Am looking forward to reading the book. (just have to have my husband get a job first..)

  13. I love old ruins; and I especially love the historical significance of this one. Did you encounter the ghost of sexy Monsieur Audobon while you were there?
    March on, warrior!

    1. The South is a great place for ruins….lots of history, and lots of forgotten places.

  14. so colonel sanders really WAS with you ) great pics and you are almost there, keep going, andra. )

    1. If Roy keeps eating fried chicken at this pace, he might need to get a white suit and hat.

  15. Jack is wonderful, and the ruins are exactly the way I pictured them. Love to hear you answering the Qs!

  16. With as many miles as you must travel each day I’m impressed you can stop and spend any time at all along the way. What an interesting ruin, and I didn’t know a thing about this academy. You are inspiring me to do so much extra reading as I delve into new little historical nuggets, thanks to you!

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