Sedalia in Guilford County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

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The Origins of Palmer Memorial Institute

Photographed by Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

1. The Origins of Palmer Memorial Institute Marker

Inscription.

The Origins of Palmer Memorial Institute. . , In 1846, Christian abolitionists established the American Missionary Association (AMA). After the Civil War, the AMA provided schools for African Americans in the South and founded Bethany Institute here in 1870. Few educational opportunities existed for anyone, especially the poor or those living in rural areas. African Americans, mostly rural and poor, had little hope of receiving even a basic education except through these types of schools., Many students walked miles to Bethany Institute and missed classes frequently due to winter weather. Miss Hawkins solved this problem with the help of students and parents by converting an abandoned blacksmith’s shop across the highway from the church into a classroom and girls’ sleeping quarters. She obtained an old house about a quarter of a mile away for the boys. Because the house was in better condition, she moved the girls there as well. Girls lived upstairs and the boys downstairs. She was a strict disciplinarian of high moral character, and she supervised all activities to ensure proper conduct., The school and church were both well-attended when 18-year-old Charlotte Hawkins arrived in October 1901. Pupils attended classes in the church, sitting on long benches which converted to pews on Sundays. Classes occurred only during the winter for four or five months. The school included higher-level classes for older students training to be teachers and ministers. Miss Hawkins taught the older students while another teacher instructed the elementary grades., Despite the improvements, the AMA withdrew its limited financial support of Bethany Institute in 1902. Inspired by the community’s pleas to maintain a local school and with a strong sense of mission and faith in God, young Charlotte courageously reopened the school on her own in the fall of 1902. It was later named the Palmer Memorial Institute in honor of her friend and mentor, noted New England educator Alice Freeman Palmer., Bethany Church remains an active congregation today and is located across the highway from the parking lot. ,

In 1846, Christian abolitionists established the American Missionary Association (AMA). After the Civil War, the AMA provided schools for African Americans in the South and founded Bethany Institute here in 1870. Few educational opportunities existed for anyone, especially the poor or those living in rural areas. African Americans, mostly rural and poor, had little hope of receiving even a basic education except through these types of schools.

Many students walked miles to Bethany Institute and missed classes frequently due to winter weather. Miss Hawkins solved this problem with the help of students and parents by converting an abandoned blacksmith’s shop across the highway from the church into a classroom and girls’ sleeping quarters. She obtained an old house about a quarter of a mile away for the boys. Because the house was in better condition, she moved the girls there as well. Girls lived upstairs and the boys downstairs. She was a strict disciplinarian of high moral character, and she supervised all activities to ensure proper conduct.

The school and church were both well-attended when 18-year-old Charlotte Hawkins

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arrived in October 1901. Pupils attended classes in the church, sitting on long benches which converted to pews on Sundays. Classes occurred only during the winter for four or five months. The school included higher-level classes for older students training to be teachers and ministers. Miss Hawkins taught the older students while another teacher instructed the elementary grades.

Despite the improvements, the AMA withdrew its limited financial support of Bethany Institute in 1902. Inspired by the community’s pleas to maintain a local school and with a strong sense of mission and faith in God, young Charlotte courageously reopened the school on her own in the fall of 1902. It was later named the Palmer Memorial Institute in honor of her friend and mentor, noted New England educator Alice Freeman Palmer.

Bethany Church remains an active congregation today and is located across the highway from the parking lot.

Erected by Division of State Historic Sites and Properties.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Education • Religion & Religious Structures.

Photographed by Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

2. The Origins of Palmer Memorial Institute Marker

The marker is to the left of the sidewalk.

In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1901.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 36° 4.088′ N, 79° 37.487′ W. Marker was in Sedalia, North Carolina, in Guilford County. It was on Burlington Road (U.S. 70) west of Palmer Farm Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 6136 Burlington Road, Sedalia NC 27342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in North Carolina’s Piedmont

and specifically in Piedmont Triad.

It was also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 distance of this

Charlotte Hawkins at Bethany image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

3. Charlotte Hawkins at Bethany

with community church leaders in the early 1900s. She is seated, third from the right.

location: Introduction & Welcome (here, next to this marker); Carrie M. Stone Cottage 1948 (within shouting distance of this marker); A New Life for a Historic Campus (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles W. Eliot & Reynoldsd Halls (within shouting distance of this marker); The Teachers' Cottages (within shouting distance of this marker); Canary Cottage (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes for Women (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Campus Landscape (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sedalia.

Other markers no longer nearby. Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum (was here, next to 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).

Charlotte Hawkins image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

4. Charlotte Hawkins

Charlotte Hawkins (center, back row) with Palmer Memorial Institute's teachers, c. 1905. As her school grew, she sought qualified teachers with college degrees and took them along on fund-raising trips.

The Boy's Dormitory image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Jordan, January 1, 2011

5. The Boy's Dormitory

This building eventually housed 40 students and Charlotte Hawkins. The girls lived upstairs and the boys downstairs.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2011, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. This page has been viewed 887 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 16, 2011, by Paul Jordan of Burlington, N. C., U. S. A.. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.