of education as a benefactor of Raleigh Academy, a school primarily for boys.
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 and 1862, but was commandeered by the Confederate States government early in the American Civil War to be used as an army hospital. The 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.
The name of the school changed from Peace Institute to "Peace College" in 1943.
A member of the Women's College Coalition, Peace College was one of the oldest institutions of higher education for women …
