Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, December 1, 2022

1. Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home Marker

Inscription. Mary McLeod Bethune Home
has been designated a
National
Historic Landmark
This site possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America

1975
National Park Service
United States Department of the Interior

Erected 1975 by Bethune Cookman University.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • Landmarks • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is December 2, 1974.

Location. 29° 12.778′ N, 81° 1.909′ W. Marker is in Daytona Beach, Florida, in Volusia County. Marker can be reached from Doctor Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard just west of Doctor MLK Jr. Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. The Home is located within the boundaries of the Bethune Cookman University campus. It is behind the library and can be seen from Dr. Martin Luther King. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 640 Dr Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach FL 32114, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

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marker. Dr. Mary Bethune (a few steps from this marker); Francis R. Keyser (a few steps from this marker); The Home of Mr. Harold V. Lucas, Sr. (approx. ¼ mile away); Cypress Street Elementary School (approx. half a mile away); Kelly Field and Jackie Robinson (approx. 0.6 miles away); United States Post Office (approx. 0.7 miles away); 174 North Beach Street (approx. 0.7 miles away); Old Kings Road (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Daytona Beach.

Also see . . . Mary McLeod Bethune Home Website.

Welcome to the home and final resting place of Bethune-Cookman University founder and accomplished educator, activist and visionary, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.

Many of the furnishings and items are arranged as they were on the day she died. In order to view Dr. Bethune’s final papers and collection, be sure to visit the Archives on the second floor of the Carl S. Swisher Library.

To learn more about this American icon and leader, make the Mary McLeod Bethune Home a destination on your next trip!

(Submitted on February 17, 2022, by Clarissa West-White of Daytona Beach, Florida.)

Additional commentary.
1. About the Home
The

2. Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home Marker

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Home, affectionately referred to as The Retreat, is the home of Bethune-Cookman University’s legendary founder. The home was built as a model by African American architect and builder, Mr. A.B. Raddick in 1905.

The home was purchased in 1913 for Mrs. Bethune by Mr. James Norris Gamble, (the chemist who devised the formula for Ivory soap), and Mr. Thomas White of White Sewing Machine Company and was the primary residence of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune until her passing. The home has had minor renovations for preservation purposes but the interior design has remained as it was when Dr. Bethune resided there. Artifacts and furnishings are original to the home and were the personal belongings of Dr. Bethune.The Home retrojects visitors to the private life of one of the greatest women in history and provides glimpses into her daily routine, thoughts, preferences, and style. For instance, there are unique pieces within the home: a stove with a built-in crock pot and a desk that doubles as a wash basin. In the Dining Room you will find her record player which is testament to her love of music, a heater, a punchbowl gifted to her from the King Family which owned the local Coca-Cola Company, china gifted to her by John D. Rockefeller and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt whose china serves as place settings on the formal table.

Tour guides entrance

Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home image. Click for full size.

3. Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home

audiences with tales of the historic role of what was once dubbed “The Bethune Mansion,” the Black rose, the stained glass window and the many elephants observed throughout the home. Visitors should expect to be tantalized by stories of notable visitors such as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Robinson, Langston Hughes, and Ralph Bunche, and little known facts like this one: Contrary to popular belief, once she moved into the home she did not cook, and it was rare to find her in the kitchen. And this one, when entertaining guests, Dr. Bethune would sit at the head of the table so that she could clearly see the front door and also the kitchen staff. Visitors will also see her collection of famous African Americans, hair accessories, and clothes.

On March 17, 1953, the Mary McLeod Bethune Home was established, according to Dr. Bethune, “as a place to awaken people and to have them realize that there is something in the world they can do.” Since her death in 1955, the Home has been visited by thousands of visitors from around the globe each year to experience the legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. On December 2, 1974 (or 1975), the home was awarded designation as a National Historic Landmark by the United States Secretary of Interior and a United Methodist Historic Site No. 94.

— Submitted February 17, 2022,

4. Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home Before renovations
by Clarissa West-White of Daytona Beach, Florida.

Additional keywords. African American, Icon, Mary McLeod Bethune, Daytona Beach, Florida, Educator, Bethune Cookman College, Cookman Institute, Bethune Cookman University, National Council of Negro Women, NCNW

Dr. Bethune in front of her Historic Home image. Click for full size.

5. Dr. Bethune in front of her Historic Home

Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home with view of markers (2021) image. Click for full size.

6. Mary McLeod Bethune Historic Home with view of markers (2021)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2022, by Clarissa West-White of Daytona Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 13, 2022, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 17, 2022, by Clarissa West-White of Daytona Beach, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.