Potter College for Young Ladies Exhibit
Bowling Green, Kentucky
1889-1909

Founding

In April 1884 a group of thirteen citizens in the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky held a public meeting "to devise ways and means" to replace the Bowling Green Female College, which had just closed after thirteen years of operation.  A committee found that up to $15,000 (equal to about $250,000 today) would be required to equip a new "first-class" college.  The committee, unfortunately, deemed the undertaking "inexpedient and
impracticable."

As an alternative the Glasgow Normal School, with its faculty and some 200 students, was invited to move from Glasgow, Kentucky to Bowling Green.  Renamed the Southern Normal School and Bowling Green Business College, the school opened in the fall of 1884 in the building vacated by the Bowling Green Female College.

The institution, however, was coeducational.  Despite its establishment of a "Female College Department," public desire for a separate young ladies' school persisted and a few years later a group of citizens revived the project.  They asked Reverend Benjamin Francis Cabell to become the new college's president and began
fundraising.

Funding came from the people of Bowling Green, who subscribed for some $17,000 worth of $25 shares in the new college.

This was a substantial investment, equivalent today to about $435. One-third of subscribers purchased only one share.

Assessment on subscription, 1889

When funds ran short, the organizers turned to Pleasant J. Potter, a 68-year-old businessman and senior partner of the banking firm of P. J. Potter & Company.  Potter agreed to increase his subscription to $5,000, the balance deemed necessary to ensure completion of the college building.

To honor Potter's generosity, the organizers filed articles of incorporation on February 9, 1889 creating "The Pleasant J. Potter College," which would become commonly known as "Potter College for Young Ladies."

Pleasant J. Potter

"As I have always felt great interest in the prosperity of Warren, my native county, and great interest in the education and elevation of her young ladies, I am very anxious to see erected in Bowling Green a permanent female college such as we need--one that will be an honor to our county and beautiful city, and one in which our girls, as well as all others who attend school here, may be thoroughly educated."