Science Hill Female Academy: The Leadership of Educated Women

Current Exhibit (Now – December 2025)

Julia Ann Hieronymus Tevis was a woman far ahead of her time. Destined to be a brilliant educator, Julia established what became one of the first Protestant preparatory schools for girls west of the Allegany Mountains in 1825 in Shelby County, KY:  Science Hill Female Academy.

Born in Clark County, KY on December 5, 1799 to Pendleton Hieronymus (1775-1820) and Mary “Polly” Bush (1778-1833), she eventually met and married Rev. John Tevis (1792-1861), a Methodist minister from Shelbyville, Kentucky. Their legacy became the school they opened in their home – Science Hill Female Academy. A home and school for many girls, it was renowned for teaching them science and math, subjects generally only taught to boys at the time. They were instructed in Greek, Latin, French, botany, chemistry, astronomy, geology, and Bible studies, including the humanities taught through such subjects as writing, music, singing, dancing and theatre. Students enjoyed such recreational activities as field hockey, tennis, basketball, badminton, archery and parlor games. When it was time to finally retire, Julia Tevis sold the school to Dr. Wiley T. Poynter and his wife, Dr. Clara Davis Martin Poynter. The Poynter family ran the school for 42 years from 1879 – 1937. Dr. Wiley T. Poynter died in 1896, and Clara continued to run the school until her death with the assistance of their daughters, Harriet and Juliet. The school was in operation from 1825 – 1939, and has had other uses, including a popular restaurant. The building is now occupied by Wakefield-Scearce Galleries. Two full rooms of the museum are dedicated to the history of Science Hill School.

The Poynter family took over in 1879 when they purchased the school from Mrs. Tevis. Dr. Wiley Taul Poynter was a teacher and principal of the school until his death in 1896. His wife, Clara Davis Martin Poynter, took over as principal and ran the school until her death in 1937. Their daughters Juliet and Harriet ran the school until its doors closed for good in 1939.

After Science Hill School closed its doors, people still continued to occupy its space. The original building had been added onto over the years. For a time, it served as apartments, became the home of the rather famous Science Hill Inn restaurant, and by the early 1960’s, Wakefield-Scearce Galleries had a permanent home in a large portion of the building. Years before, in 1947, Mark A. Wakefield and Mark J. Scearce first rented the chapel/auditorium for their antiques business. Over time Mr. Scearce acquired the remaining property and conducted renovations. There is also a display case on our first floor filled with items on loan from Matt Burnett, President & CEO of Wakefield-Scearce Galleries.

This exhibit will be on display until December 2025.

Early Shelby County, Kentucky History

Our third room and some first floor space contains artifacts representing early Shelby County, Kentucky history. Visitors will learn about Isaac Shelby, our first governor and namesake of our county; view the Ballard Dollhouse, an exquisite replica of Helen Ballard’s home; see vintage doll accessories; a collection of Native arrowheads; Civil War swords; and other artifacts pertaining to Shelby County, Kentucky history.

Our museum is located in what used to be the manse (minister’s residence) for the First Presbyterian Church located on the corner lot. Built in 1872, the first minister to live in it would have been Rev. John Sharshall Grasty (1825 – 1883). Born in Virginia, he was called to preach in Shelbyville for a time before relocating elsewhere, and eventually dying in Missouri. Rev. Grasty was married to Mrs. Ella Peltus Grasty and they had five children.