The Historical Bearcat Tour

This is a walking tour of the oldest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Mississippi.

The Historical Bearcat Tour

Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635, United States

Created By: Rust College

Tour Information

Over 154 Years of Quality Education

Rust College was established in 1866 by the Freedman’s Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Its founders were missionaries from the North who opened a school in Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church, accepting adults of all ages, as well as children, for instruction in elementary subjects. A year later the first building on the present campus was erected.

In 1870, the school was chartered as Shaw University, honoring the Reverend S.O. Shaw, who made a gift of $10,000 to the new institution. In 1892, the name was changed to Rust University to avoid confusion with another Shaw University. The name was a tribute to Richard S. Rust of Cincinnati, Ohio, Secretary of the Freedman’s Aid Society. In 1915, the name was changed again to the more realistic name, Rust College.


Tour Map

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What You'll See on the Tour

THE RUST COLLEGE LEGACY It was 1866, a year after the Civil War ended, and the South was still recovering from the effects. Then, perched on the tallest heights of Holly Springs, Mississippi, the illustrious Rust College came into existence... Read more
Lee M. McCoy was born in Tippah County on May 30, 1882, and he was the youngest of nine children. His parents were former slaves, but he and his siblings were born post-slavery. McCoy attended Rust College and graduated in 1905. He became ... Read more
At the center of campus, the Leontyne Price Library serves the entire student body, faculty, staff, and community. Named after opera singer Mary Violet Leontyne Price, the library was built with funds from a concert where Leontyne Price per... Read more
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Located on the campus of Rust College promptly to the east of the Administration building is one of the oldest buildings on campus. Oakview Manor houses the Alumni Center where you can find past information about the university and where ... Read more
Shaw Hall was built in 1929 and serves as a living reminder of Rust College’s illustrious history and unwavering dedication to academic excellence.
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The Kinzell Lawson Gymnasium includes the gym where basketball and volleyball games are played and has the male and female locker rooms, workout room and classrooms. The building houses the swimming pool and is adjacent to the campus studen... Read more
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Davage Hall, one of the men’s dormitories on campus, was named after Dr. M.S. Davage, the first African American president of Rust College. Born in Shreveport, LA on June 16th, 1879, Matthew Simpson Davage was an educator and a Methodist ... Read more
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The Doxey Auditorium was built in 1974. Named after Natalie Doxey, an educator and choir director of the World-Renowned Rust College A ‘Capella Choir, the building has an auditorium, classrooms, offices, and a recording studio. The Doxey ... Read more
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