Palmer Memorial Institute facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Palmer Memorial Institute Historic District
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 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Location | Along US 70 W of jct. with NC 3056, Sedalia, North Carolina |
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| Built | 1901 |
| Architect | Barton, Harry; Hartmann, Charles C. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Bungalow/Craftsman, I-house |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002029 |
| Added to NRHP | October 24, 1988 |
The Palmer Memorial Institute was a special school for African American students. It was started in 1902 by Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown. The school was located in Sedalia, North Carolina, close to Greensboro.
Dr. Brown named the school after Alice Freeman Palmer. She was a former president of Wellesley College and had helped Dr. Brown. The institute became a well-known and respected preparatory school. It was fully approved and recognized across the country.
More than 1,000 African American students went to the school. This was between 1902 and 1970. The school closed its doors in the 1970s.
After it closed, Bennett College bought the campus. Later, in 1980, part of the campus was sold. This included 40 acres and some main buildings. A group called the American Muslim Mission bought this land. They wanted to start a teacher's college. However, the buildings were in bad shape, so they stopped their plan.
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Remembering Palmer Institute
In late 1982, two former students started an effort. They wanted to honor Dr. Brown and the school. These women were Maria Cole and Marie Gibbs. Maria Cole was Dr. Brown's niece. She was also the wife of the famous singer Nat King Cole.
They held meetings with other former students. They also talked with North Carolina's Division of Archives and History. This group helps protect historical places.
Creating a Historic Site
North Carolina Senator Bill Martin helped them. A special law was passed in 1983. This law allowed the state to plan a historic site. It would be the state's first African American state historic site. It was created to honor Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown.
In November 1987, the memorial officially opened. It became a state historic site. In 1994, more research was done on Dr. Brown and the Institute. Several buildings were also fixed up.
The Palmer Memorial Institute Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This district includes 16 important buildings. It also has 2 sites, 3 structures, and 2 objects. Some of these include Galen Stone Hall and Kimball Hall. The Alice Freeman Palmer Building was built in 1922. Other buildings are the Carrie M. Stone Cottage and Bethany United Church of Christ.
Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum
The buildings of the Palmer Memorial Institute have been restored. They are now part of the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum. This museum is managed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
The museum teaches visitors about Dr. Brown and the Institute. It also shows how African American women helped with education. It highlights the important contributions of African Americans to education in North Carolina.
What to See at the Museum
The museum's visitor center is in the Carrie M. Stone Teachers' Cottage. Here, you can see exhibits about Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown. There are also exhibits about the Institute and African American education. You can watch a video about the school's history.
Visitors can also tour Dr. Brown's home. It is called Canary Cottage. The house is decorated to look like it did in the 1940s and 1950s. This was when the school was at its busiest. You can also see several dormitories, the dining hall, and a bell tower. There is also a teahouse and other teachers' cottages.
