Mary McLeod Bethune Home

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The Mary McLeod Bethune House is a national historic landmark and a museum dedicated to preserving and presenting the life and legacy of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, who lived in the house from 1913 until her death on May 18, 1955. Her last resting place resides nearby.

Mary Mcleod Bethune was an educator, women’s and civil rights activist, the founder and president of schools and organizations, the federal government advisor, and director.

She was born in 1875, the 15th of 17 children to enslaved people in South Carolina, and was the first in her family to go to school. From a young age, she believed in the power of education and taught her siblings what she had learned at school. In 1904, Bethune established a boarding school for girls in Daytona Beach, Florida. The class grew from six girls to more than 30 within a year. She succeeded in fundraising to expand the school, and it grew every year. In 1931, her school merged with the boys’ Cookman Institute, and in 1941 achieved full college status as Bethune-Cookman College.

The house is located in the heart of Bethune-Cookman University campus and kept as when Bethune lived there. It contains fascinating memorabilia and artifacts, her original library, furniture, family heirlooms, and photos of famous visitors and US presidents.

Also on campus grounds is a tall bronze statue of Bethune, standing outside the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center, just a few minutes walk from the Mary McLeod Bethune House.

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640 Dr Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114

 

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