Sedalia in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Canary Cottage
Built in 1925, Canary Cottage served as Dr. Brown's residence until her death in 1961. From here, Dr. Brown had a fine view of the campus. Over the years, other residents of the home included Dr. Brown's three nieces, several female teachers, and staff members, and occasionally some students too young for the dormitories. Relatives of Dr. Brown who visited campus would also stay here. Subsequent presidents also lived here until the school closed.
Canary - the color and the bird
The cottage got its name "Canary" after a 1925 article in the New York Age noted the yellow color of the home and its modern luxuries, like electricity and plumbing. The name was also a nod to Dr. Brown's preferred pet birds.
Inside, visitors can experience the cottage as it was in the late 1930s and early 19490s, when Dr. Brown hosted many social functions for students, faculty, friends, and fellow education activists. Canary Cottage was also the model for the Carrie M. Stone Cottage, built in 1948, which now serves as the site's Visitor Center.
Erected by NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; North Carolina Historic Sites.
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 36° 4.078′ N, 79° 37.436′ W. Marker is in Sedalia, North Carolina, in Guilford County. It is on Burlington Road (U.S. 70) west of Palmer Farm Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6136 Burlington Rd, Gibsonville NC 27249, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Piedmont and specifically in Piedmont Triad. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking
Other markers no longer nearby. Canary Cottage (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Charles W. Eliot Hall (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, 1883 - 1961 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 28 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
