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

Meditation Altar

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 18, 2026

1. Meditation Altar Marker

Inscription.
Palmer grounds keeper James Rudd Sr. constructed the altar with stones brought from across the country and the Caribbean. Each morning Brown prayed before beginning her long day at the school.

The altar was a favorite place for students and faculty to enjoy the scenic beauty of the campus while relaxing and studying but also was used as a time-out area for students who did not follow Brown's strict rules.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series list.

Location. 36° 4.054′ N, 79° 37.408′ W. Marker is in Gibsonville, North Carolina, in Guilford County. It can be reached from Burlington Road (U.S. 70) west of Palmer Farm Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the grounds of the Charlotte Hawkins Brown historic site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6139 Burlington Rd, Gibsonville NC 27249, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North

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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 the North Atlantic Region,

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 distance of this marker: Charlotte Hawkins Brown Gravesite & Memorial (a few steps from this marker); In Memory of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Alice Freeman Palmer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); N.C. Federation of Colored Women's Clubs (within shouting distance of this marker); Campus Landscape (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes for Women (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Canary Cottage (within

Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, June 4, 2011

2. Meditation Altar Marker

shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gibsonville.

Other markers no longer nearby. Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, 1883 - 1961 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Canary Cottage (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), January 18, 2026

3. Meditation Altar Marker

Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, June 4, 2011

4. Meditation Altar Marker

Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, June 4, 2011

5. Meditation Altar Marker

Meditation Altar image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Patrick G. Jordan, June 4, 2011

6. Meditation Altar

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2011, by Patrick G. Jordan of Graham, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 656 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on June 5, 2011, by Patrick G. Jordan of Graham, North Carolina. 3. submitted on January 26, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 5, 2011, by Patrick G. Jordan of Graham, North Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.