Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Home "The Retreat" & Grave Site
640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard
The Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Home, affectionately referred to as The Retreat, is the home of Bethune-Cookman University’s legendary founder. The home was built as a model by Black architect and builder, Mr. A.B. Raddick in 1905, who also built homes on the beachside for wealthy northerners.
The home was purchased in 1913 for Mrs. Bethune by James Norris Gamble, the chemist who devised the formula for Ivory soap, and Mr. Thomas White of White Sewing Machine Company and remained the home of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune until her passing in 1955.
The home has had minor renovations for preservation purposes, but the interior design has remained as it was when Dr. Bethune resided there. Artifacts and furnishings are original to the home and were Dr. Bethune’s personal belongings. Among the home’s highlights is the guest bedroom where her close friend, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, stayed when visiting Daytona Beach.
According to the Bethune-Cookman University website, “On March 17, 1953, the Mary McLeod Bethune Home was established, according to Dr. Bethune, “as a place to awaken people and to have them realize that there is something in the world they can do.”
She died peacefully at home on May 18, 1955, at age 79. Her grave and memorial are located just west of the home on the university’s campus and contain words of wisdom and hope from her legacy and provide a place to reflect.
In 1974, the home was designated a National Historic Landmark by the United States Secretary of Interior and is United Methodist Historic Site - No. 94.
Timeline
1875 - Born in Mayesville, SC to enslaved parents
1898 - Married Albertus Bethune
1899 - Son Albert born
1904 - Established Daytona Literary & Industrial Training Institute for Negro Girls
1905 - Home Built
1913 - Home purchased for Mrs. Bethune
1949 - Dr. Bethune Retired
1953 - Foundation Created
1955 - Died peacefully at home
