History
Peace College was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute by a group of men within the Presbyterian Synod of North Carolina. The leading donation of $10,000 USD ($205,000 in 2005 dollars) came from William Peace, a prominent local merchant. Peace was a member of the second class of the University of North Carolina (class of 1800) and a longtime proponent of education as a benefactor of Raleigh Academy, a school primarily for boys.
Additionally, Peace donated 8 acres (32,000 m2) for the campus site. Main Building, a red brick, white-columned Greek revival building was built between 1859–1862,but was commandeered by the Confederate States government early in the Civil War to be used as an army hospital. Main Building was designed and built by the Holt Brothers, Thomas and Jacob, who were notable builders from nearby Warrenton, NC.
The Civil War and Reconstruction Era delayed the opening of the school, but Peace Institute opened in January 1872. The first president was John Burwell, assisted by his son Robert. The Burwells, and his successor James Dinwiddie, served the school until 1910 and were strong Presbyterians and descendants of old Virginia families.
A member of the Women's College Coalition, Peace College is one of the oldest institutions of higher education for women in the United States. It was the second-oldest in North Carolina, predated only by Salem College (the first school for girls in the United States, founded in 1772).
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