WNCSC is located on the historic campus of the former Patterson School in Lenoir, NC. Established in 1909 by Samuel Legerwood Patterson, Patterson School was a private, non-profit, co-educational boarding and day school located in Happy Valley, North Carolina. The school began with a focus on academic excellence, with a curriculum that included subjects such as mathematics, science, language arts, and history. Over the years, the school expanded its offerings to include vocational training, music, and arts programs. The campus, situated on 1,400 acres, featured a range of buildings, including dormitories, classrooms, and recreational facilities.

 

Patterson School made significant contributions to the community and beyond playing a key role in the development of the surrounding area, providing educational opportunities to rural boys and girls. The school complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004, recognizing its architectural and historical significance. The Patterson School Historic District includes notable contributing resources such as Palmyra Hall (1927), Sarah Joyce Lenoir Memorial Library (1922, 1951), Gard Hall (1920-1921), and several other buildings and structures.

 

Patterson School operated for nearly a century, closing its doors in 2009. Despite its closure, the school’s legacy endures, with many alumni and community members continuing to cherish its history and traditions. Today, the Patterson School Foundation works to preserve the school’s heritage and promote its values of academic excellence, community service, and personal growth. The foundation promotes sustainable agriculture practices through the Incubator Farm Program, and offers educational programs, tours, and events to the public, seeking to honor the legacy of the school and its contributions to the local community and beyond. 

 

The historical grounds of the school are home to the WNC Sculpture Center. Founded in 2019, WNCSC is housed in the roughly 10,000 sq. ft. gymnasium located on the Patterson School Foundation grounds. The generous 30-foot ceilings enable sculptors to work large-scale, and place completed work in the expansive landscape and trail setting. Visitors to the park can enjoy over 100 sculptures under the scenery of the Happy Valley 7 days per week. WNCSC hosts regular events and demonstrations that are open to the public free of charge as well as classes for those interested in a more hands-on experience.