A TOUR OF OUR CAMPUS AND RESIDENCES

Robert Perry Smith Building - The Robert Perry Smith Building was the original structure built on campus in 1922, when Presbyterian Home for Children (then known as the Mountain Orphanage) moved to Black Mountain.  The building was first occupied in 1923, and cost $70,000.  Children of the Asheville Presbytery (now the Presbytery of Western North Carolina) were asked to purchase bricks for the new building at three cents a brick. 

At that time, the building was a large dormitory-style residence with common hall bathrooms, a parlor, and a large dining room.  Children were segregated into Big Boys, Little Boys, Big Girls, and Little Girls.  The Smith Building is now home to the Learning Center, Support Services, and Administration. 

Resident Houses
In the last eight years, the Home has progressed from being a facility in danger of closing to one that brings pride to the community.   The aging dormitory where children were in bunkrooms segregated by age and gender has been replaced by the beautiful, family-style houses.  The remains of the old working farm have been replaced by a playground, nature path, ball fields, and an expanded gymnasium and community room. 

In 1999, the Home began building four family-like residences on campus.  Instead of living in a large group setting, the children would live in a house with married houseparent couples. 

Each house has a large family room, kitchen/dining area, houseparent quarters, a laundry room, and three pods.  A pod is a large divided bedroom for three children, with a shared bathroom and linen closet. 

Presbyterian Home is proud of our beautiful, ninety-acre mountain campus and our open-door policy.  The campus is not a locked or gated facility.  The children skate, play, ride bikes, and enjoy the outdoors daily.  The program is centered on the firm belief that children, no matter what their situation, need a normal life.