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The institution opened as Bethel Female High School with two campuses: one in Russellville and another in Hopkinsville . The Russelville campus changed its name to Bethel Female College four years later in 1858, taking in students continuing with the program. The college changed its name again in 1917; the Russelville campus became Bethel Women's College, and the Hopkinsville campus Bethel Women's Jr. College. In 1951, the college became co-educational and changed its name to simply Bethel College. It closed in 1964, with the Hopkinsville campus razed in 1966.

A number of historical events have interacted with the college. During the Civil War , the Russellville Convention , a meeting to set up a Confederate government of Kentucky in 1861, met at Bethel Female College on its third day. The Hopkinsville campus was used as a hospital during a Black Measles epidemic from 1861-1862. Later, during World War II , the Hopkinsville campus would be closed from 1942-1945 and the rooms rented to Camp Campbell army officers.


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