Founded in 1902 by Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Palmer Memorial Institute transformed the lives of more than 2,000 African American students. Today, the campus provides a setting where visitors can explore this unique environment where boys and girls lived and learned during the greater part of the 20th century. The museum links Dr. Brown and Palmer Memorial Institute to the larger themes of African American history, women's history, social history, and education, as well as emphasizing the contributions of African Americans in North Carolina.
Hours and Location
Tuesday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday, Monday, and most major holidays.
Tours are available most Tuesdays-Saturdays between 9:30am and 3:30pm. We encourage you to call us at 336-449-3310 to ensure availability.
Group tours of 10 or more must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
Please call us at 336-449-3310 or send an email to chb@dncr.nc.gov if you'd like to schedule a tour or if you have a specific date in mind you'd like to visit.
6136 Burlington Road
Gibsonville, NC 27249
Admission
Guided tours of Canary Cottage and the grounds are $2 for adults (18-64) and $1 for children (3-17) and seniors (65+). Self-guided tours of the grounds are free and admission to our Visitors Center and exhibit is free.
Donations are appreciated.
Facilities
Historic Structures
Canary Cottage (ca. 1927), Dr. Brown's personal residence, has been completely restored and appointed with both original and period furnishings. Step back to the days when Dr. Brown played piano in the living room, and taught students how to entertain in the dining room. Window treatments, Oriental rugs, bathroom hardware, and similar features evoke the heyday of the school in the 1940s and 1950s.
Three dormitories, Kimball Dining Hall (1927), the Bell Tower, the Teahouse (campus store), and several teachers' cottages also are viewable on the campus (no interior tours available).
Visitor Center
The visitor center, housed in the Carrie M. Stone Teachers' Cottage (1948), will feature an exhibit with artifacts, photographs, and information on Dr. Brown, the Palmer Memorial Institute, and African American education in North Carolina.
Trails, Monuments, Outdoor Exhibits
Outdoor exhibit panels tell the story of each building on the Palmer campus. Dr. Brown's gravesite, the Alice Freeman Palmer Building foundation, and the restored Charles W. Bundrige athletic field are also at the site.
Accessibility
The visitor center and the first floor of Canary Cottage are accessible to all visitors. Sidewalks, drives and handicapped parking spaces have been added to the campus, making it over 90 percent accessible.
Programs and Group Activities
Several events throughout the year focus on the life of Dr. Brown and African American education in North Carolina.