[3] Before the Civil War, women in North Carolina were not allowed to receive higher education at a majority of colleges.

Hill wrote:[2] "It was at first proposed to take the St. Mary's School with buildings, but on consultation with friends this idea was abandoned; and it was pointed out that the Peace Institute, then in an incompleted condition, could be had-and would be more suitable and cause less dissatisfaction.

I visited the place and found a large brick framework,-the roof on,-but no floors and windows,-, General Holmes' orders were to hurry up matters and, if necessary, to impress every able-bodied man in Raleigh and put .him to work-and get the building ready.

Major Pierce called in the contractor, Mr. Briggs, and he promised to put hands enough to work to get the Hospital ready in a month.

[3] Because of the economic hardships experienced by many Southerners after the War, the trustees of Peace Institute were unable to repay the loans for the building project.

[2] A joint-stock company led by local Presbyterians funded the curriculum of "three courses of instruction: Primary, Preparatory and Collegiate."

[3] In 1914, Peace became the first accredited junior college in the South, and eventually the primary and preparatory programs were discontinued at Main Building.

The West Wing contains the Williams Board Room, the Blue Parlor, offices, and the James Dinwiddie Chapel.