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The
building and grounds that now encompass the area known as
the Flora Macdonald Campus had their beginning in 1896. At
that time, Dr. Charles Graves Vardell, a Presbyterian minister,
founded a new school with the name of Red Springs Seminary.
The college underwent a name change in 1903 to Southern Presbyterian
College and Conservatory of Music, and then in 1914, to Flora
Macdonald College. This later name was in honor of the famous
Scottish heroine who, for a time during the Revolutionary
War years, lived in this part of North Carolina.
Dr. Vardell, when he first arrived at the present site of
the Campus, was quoted as saying, "Here is a place for a garden
the like of which cannot be found, and here is a place for
a girls' school, the need of which cannot be equaled."
During
the existance of Flora Macdonald College, thousands of young
women graduated, and went out into many parts of the world
entering worthwhile vocations. For many of these young women,
had the college not existed, a quality education would not
have been attainable. It was the only woman's college in southeastern
North Carolina until about the middle of the 20th century.
In 1964, after the closing of Flora Macdonald College, Vardell
Hall was established. This institution was organized under
the leadership of Col. Leslie Blankinship, a well-known individual
then in the field of private schools. Vardell Hall served
as a young women's boarding school for high school and junior
college students. In 1973 it was deemed financialy advisable
to cease the boarding school, and to operate a day school
in the present facility
Robeson County Day School, which was already organized and
operating in a nearby community, was attracted to the present
facility. This educational institution includes grades kindergarten
through senior high school. This organization later agreed
to change its name to Flora Macdonald Academy.
During the past century the people of Red Springs and the
surrounding area have furnished considerable financial support,
not only to assist the institutions utilizing the facilities,
but also to maintain the buildings and grounds.
Flora
Macdonald Gardens
The building and grounds, which have been designated as a
National Historic Site, are located at 200 South College Street,
Red Springs, N.C.
The gardens, about 10 acres, were originally started by Dr.
Charles G. Vardell, the founder of Flora Macdonald College.
Under the guidance of Dr. Vardell, and his capable assistant,
Dexter Garner, the Gardens became nationally known.
A tornado in 1984 did considerable damage to the Gardens,
but restoration work since that time has brought them back
to a point where one can still walk the meandering paths.
The gardens, always known for the variety of azaleas in the
Spring, still have many of the original plants gathered by
Dr. Vardell. As part of the restoration, many new botanical
specimens have been added, along with replacing plants lost
to the storm.
Whatever
time of the year one may visit the campus, one will find that
the Gardens offer a tranquil place to relax and enjoy some
of God's most beautiful creations.
The Gardens' hours of visitation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
November 1 to March 31, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., April
1 to October 31.
There is no admission fee to
the Gardens. |