Central Children's Home of North Carolina, Orphanage and heritage site in Oxford, United States.
Central Children's Home of North Carolina is a multi-building campus in Oxford featuring a main structure with Italianate architectural elements and a distinctive tower. The property includes residential buildings and supporting structures arranged across the grounds to accommodate multiple residents.
Established in 1883 as the Grant Colored Asylum with Congressional funding, the facility received additional support from Congressman Henry P. Cheatham to serve children in the region. The institution evolved over time to become a major caregiving center in the area.
The institution's name changed five times: Grant Colored Asylum in 1883, Colored Orphanage Asylum of North Carolina in 1887, Colored Orphanage of North Carolina in 1927, Central Orphanage of North Carolina in 1965, and Central Children's Home of North Carolina in 1986. A state historical marker placed by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Historical Marker Program stands in front of the building.
The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it a destination for those interested in local history and architecture. A state historical marker on the property provides context for understanding the building's role in the community.
The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, formally recognizing its architectural and social value to the region. The Robert L. Shepard Scholarship Fund established in 1943 demonstrated the institution's commitment to educational advancement for its residents.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,775 contributors worldwide.