In some form, the Meredith College campus has had a supply "store" since 1911, although it began on the downtown campus as a humble 2' x 4' box stocked with stationery, paper, pencils, ink and candy. Maintained by the Y.W.C.A., it was called, appropriately, the "Y Store" and was only able to expand slightly. With the move to the new campus, the store was housed in the one remaining usable room of a small house (near Faircloth Dorm) left from the Tucker Farm days. Renamed the "B-Hive" (and then "BeeHive") when the store's operation was taken over by the Baptist Student Union (the B.S.U.), the store was now also able to accommodate ice cream and cold drinks. Profits from the BeeHive went annually to a "special project" on campus and to the B.S.U.
In 1950, when the bulk of the old 1926 “temporary” auditorium on the east side of campus (near Brewer Dorm) was torn down, a portion that had been used for music classrooms was left standing. With a coat of white paint, landscaping and some interior decoration, the recycled and renovated building became a snack bar and informal gathering place for students as well as a supply and bookstore in 1951. This building's exterior also became the canvas for senior class pre-Cornhuskin' paintings prior to the Tunnel.
After briefly being housed in another building east of the Brewer and Heilmann dorms, the actual BeeHive shop relocated to the new Cate Student Center in 1972. The old building, still often referred to as the BeeHive or the "Old BeeHive" was used by the Home Economics, Art and Music Departments, as well as the print shop/graphic arts center. The 60-year-old dilapidated building was torn down in the summer of 1987.
Today, the BeeHive Cafe is still located on the second floor of Cate , while supplies, books and college-themed clothing and souvenirs are available in a first-floor store.
The original Beehive on the "new" campus was between Faircloth Residence Hall and the old gymnasium. The BeeHive was housed in an original building from the Tucker Farm on which the new campus was created. Here it appears as the small two-story building below the water tower.
The BeeHive - then an entire building left over from the Tucker Farm - was located next to Faircloth Residence Hall.
The BeeHive Committee was made up of the Baptist Student Union (BSU) president and a representative from each class. The profits from the BeeHive's sales supported the BSU. According to the copy, the BeeHive was "one of the places on the campus that every Meredith girl will associate with her college days."
Students gathered on the front porch of the original BeeHive (ca. 1940s.)
Students buy school supplies and refreshments, (ca. 1940.)
Students line up at the soda fountain to buy a treat. In an essay titled "The Bee-Hive," published in the Acorn student literary magazine in May, 1948, Christine Williamson wrote, "What's the first thing you think about when someone says 'Bee-Hiive' to you? I know, peanuts, potato chips, candy and cokes."
The 2nd BeeHive was created in 1950 out a remaining part of the original 1926 auditorium, here visible at right center of the image. The original auditorium was replaced by Jones Auditorium, built in 1949. The nearby all-white building to the right is the original gymnasium.
From the 1951 Oak Leaves: "What better name could have been given to the Meredith Supply Store than THE BEE HIVE! For into this store swarm students for those in-between-meal snacks, that urgently needed cosmetic, that box of stationery to write 'Dear John,' that notebook or pencil, or any other necessity; and around the corner the toaster or table to exchange the latest in news and gossip."
When the old original 1926 auditorium was torn down, a portion was saved to house the 2nd BeeHive, seen in this slightly elevated photo, probably from the 1960s.
The staff of the Beehive in 1966.
The interior of the 2nd BeeHive. The informal motto of this student store was "Everything but the answers to exams."
"The Bee Hive is very conducive to study!" (Oak Leaves, 1963.)
Students line up at the soda fountain in the 2nd BeeHive.
Campus mail boxes were located in the BeeHive. The mail came in twice a day: 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Students seated in a corner table take time to relax and visit.
Student workers (1969.)
"The Old BeeHive" was a canvas for Senior artwork and messages. Once the building was torn down in 1987, seniors turned to painting the tunnel prior to Cornhuskin'.
After the actual store moved to Cate, the building that was usually referred to as the "old BeeHive" housed part of the art, music, and home economics departments. This photo is from the 1986 Oak Leaves.
Over its history, the BeeHive was housed in several locations, depending on the availability of space. When Cate opened in 1974, the BeeHive had a permanent home.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532
