American College - Madurai Tourism

Established in the 1830’s there existed an American Madura Mission & in the 1860’s two Americans Dr. & Mrs.Washnurn came to Madurai. They came along with a clipper that came from USA bringing ice – a novelty. The washburns started a college at Pasumalai. Later their successor Zumbro moved the college to its present location in Goripalayam. Many magnificent buildings were erected in this campus. The Americans here realized the need for indigenisation. An Indian was appointed as principal even before independence. This was rare as foreigners still presided over colleges in India after independence.

American college was at first scorned upon by some parents who did not want their daughters to study in a co-educational college. This lead to the opening to Lady Doak College for Women- the first of the kind in the late 1940’s.

The American college was constructed a century also a famous British Architect Henry Irving. He also designed the Mysore palace. The most imposing structure on campus is the Main Hall where there is an auditorium & administration colleges. Today it is one of Madurai’s top colleges with modern facilities & highly knowledgeable faculty.