After Raleigh was chosen for the site of the Baptist Female University, and after considering several available properties, the founders of the school purchased a lot downtown at the corner of Blount and Edenton streets. Then, in 1895, while fundraising continued, construction started on a building in the Queen Anne style, a Victorian-era asymmetrical concoction accented with wraparound porches, turrets and gables. The architect was Raleigh-based architect Adolphus Gustavus Bauer (1858-1898) who had with his partner designed the governor’s Executive Mansion next door. When complete, after numerous funding delays, the News and Observer called the Main building, “a delight to the eye, being the most handsome school building in the South.”
When the school finally opened in 1899, space in Main building was allocated as follows:
• 1st floor – administrative offices, living quarters for the President and his family, dining room and kitchen, laboratories and classrooms
• 2nd floor – classrooms, chapel, parlors
• 3rd floor – bedrooms
• 4th floor – bedrooms, infirmary, art studios
Initially, there was not a library on campus; students were expected to use the nearby public library.
The 1901-1902 Catalogue boasted that the building was "lighted by gas with Welsbach burners, heated by steam , and has two bath and toilet-rooms, with hot and cold water, on each floor. The well-furnished rooms, home-like, attractive, with plenty of light and fresh air, spacious halls, commodious dining room, make it evident that every provision has been made which experience has shown to be essential to comfort, comfort and healthfulness.
When 180 students showed up to enroll in those first days, the trustees quickly realized that more accommodations were needed. Additional construction and purchasing alleviated the initial issues, but the small campus was inadequate for long-term growth. In 1926, the college moved to its present location, which at the time was on the outskirts of Raleigh. Main Building was sold and became the Mansion Park Hotel. In 1951, it was acquired by the state of North Carolina and was used as an office building. The building was torn down in 1966 and the site is now a parking lot next to the Executive Manion.
The Main Building. In addition to classrooms, laboratories, music rooms and an art studio, Main Building housed students, the college president, the society halls and an auditorium.
The 1903 Sanborn map of the entire 4-acre campus, with Main Building at lower left.
An aerial view of the downtown campus at center.
A dorm room in Main Building, 1920. Students were expected to bring "two pillow cases, two sheets, napkins, towels, and toilet articles, as many as she may need.... Each student should also bring a blanket or comfort(er)."
Classroom.
Laboratory. The 1901-1902 Catalogue described two laboratories: "the Chemical and the Biological." these are furnished with water, gas, Bunsen burners, shelves, desks containing lockers and drawers, and all necessary chemicals, reagents and apparatus for... study....by laboratory methods. There are also a set of bacteriological apparatus for special work and investigation in Bacteriology." School officials hoped to soon provide the facilities to study physics in order to "meet the deepest needs of the institutional life."
A collage of photos featuring the library and reading room. While a school library did not exist initially, school officials campaigned actively for donations of books for many years, recognizing their importance to the institution as a "working laboratory for all departments on instruction." The 1901-1902 Catalogue reported the the library currently held 1,091 volumes and was 'sorely in need of others."
An unknown space, identified in the yearbook as a "Kollege Korner," but possibly a space in the president's living quarters.
Astrotekton ("Astros") Literary Society Hall. The Philaretian ("Phis") Literary Society had their own separate meeting place, also on the second floor. .
A reception by students and their guests somewhere in the Main Building.
Ida Poteat's art studio on the top floor.
Dining Hall.
Auditorium.
Infirmary - located on the 4th floor.
Students studying in what appears to be a common corridor.
Students gathered on the impressive staircase of the Main Building. The young students seated at the front were probably part of the Academy.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-760-8532
