The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum is located on the former campus of the nationally-renowned Palmer Memorial Institute. In the fall of 1902 at age 19, Charlotte Hawkins founded the school for local African American children and served as its president for the next 50 years. From an early agricultural emphasis, Palmer evolved into an elite preparatory school for blacks, equipping its students with a classical education, discipline, high standards, poise and ambition. Palmer closed in 1971, ten years after her death. In 1987, after efforts spearheaded by the Sedalia community and Palmer alumni, the former campus opened as a State Historic Site.
Open Monday - Saturday, 9 AM - 5 PM. Admission is free.
The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum is an agency of the Division of State Historic Sites and Properties, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources.
The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Historical Foundation, Inc., serves at the site’s support group and was originally organized by Palmer alumni and area friends to establish the historic site. The nonprofit support group works cooperatively with the State of North Carolina to preserve the legacy of Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown and to assist the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum in providing an enlightening experience to visitors.
