William Peace University

William Peace University is a small liberal arts college in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, and offers undergraduate degrees in 10 majors. The institution adopted its current name in 2012, concurrent with its decision to begin admitting men to its day program; it was previously known as Peace Institute and Peace College.

History

The institution that eventually became William Peace University was founded in 1872 as Peace Institute by a group of men within the Presbyterian Synod of North Carolina. The leading donation of $10,000 USD ($254 thousand in 2016 terms) came from William Peace, a prominent local merchant and a founding member of the First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh. Peace was a member of the second class of the University of North Carolina (class of 1800), and a longtime proponent of education as a benefactor of Raleigh Academy, a school primarily for boys.

Additionally, Peace donated 8 acres (32,000 m²) for the campus site.Main Building, a red brick, white-columned Greek revival building was built between 1859–1862, but was commandeered by the Confederate States government early in the Civil War to be used as an army hospital. The Main Building was designed and built by the Holt Brothers, Thomas and Jacob, who were notable builders from nearby Warrenton, NC.