Things to Do in the Summer
In the spirit of finding fun, (mostly free) indoor events to escape the Florida heat!
In the spirit of finding fun, (mostly free) indoor events to escape the Florida heat!
Mary McLeod Bethune was born July 10th, 1875 in
Mayesville, South Carolina. Born Mary Jane McLeod, she was the 15th of 17
children and the first in her family born free. Bethune’s childhood home was a
small cabin built by her father and brothers on their cotton farm.
After the opening of the Trinity Presbyterian
Mission School near Mayesville, little Mary Jane became the first in her family
to receive a formal education. She excelled in her studies and quickly realized
the value of her education. This early opportunity afforded Bethune a lifetime
of successes. Bethune went on to become a noted educator and civil rights
leader. This was not only a feat because of her color but also because she was
a woman.
Fondly referred to as the “Retreat,” this
historic home was built in 1904. During
her years as president of the thriving Bethune-Cookman College, the home was
where Mrs. Bethune raised her son and grandson, hosted various dignitaries and
guests, and spent her last years after retirement.
In 1953, two years before her passing, Mrs.
Bethune willed the home to the Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation to serve as the
organization’s headquarters and a place to “awaken people and have them realize
there is something in the world they can do.”
Today the home is preserved as a museum on the
campus of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach. It was designated a
United States National Historic Landmark in 1974, for its association with the
life of Mary McLeod Bethune.
Filled with fascinating memorabilia and artifacts
from Mrs. Bethune’s illustrious career, aswell as photos of famous visitors
and U.S. presidents, the facility, which is situated on the scenic grounds of
Bethune-Cookman University is operated as a museum. A brick structure added to
the house serves as an archive of Mary McLeod Bethune papers. Highly
informative guided tours are available Monday-Friday between 10am-3pm.
The
house is located at 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard in Daytona Beach.
Call (386) 481-2121 to make an appointment for a Saturday tour. Or email the Foundation.
