Cedar Crest College (Allentown, PA)

Cedar Crest College began as Allentown Seminary, headed by a Lutheran and a Reformed minister, in 1848. Originally a school for teachers, it developed into a Classical School until 1864 when, during the Civil War, it was reorganized and renamed the Allentown Collegiate Institute and Military Academy. Eventually the institute closed, but was resurrected in 1867 as Muhlenberg College for the Lutherans and Allentown Female College for the Reformed. The first eight Female College students met in the basement lecture room of Zion Reformed Church. Early in 1868 they moved to a building at 4th and Turner Streets. After 1892 the college was given a charter and its name was changed to Allentown College for Women. In 1911 it was decided to move the college to Cedar Creek, where it became known as Cedar Crest College.