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.