History of the Piedmont Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross

The Burlington Chapter of the American Red Cross received its charter on May 21, 1917. In 1922, the Mebane and Burlington Chapters merged to form the Alamance County Chapter. On November 1, 1993, the chapter merged with the Caswell County Chapter and changed its name to the Piedmont Carolina Chapter.

The chapter’s operations are managed in a house in the historic district of downtown Burlington. Located on West Davis Street, the house was constructed in 1934 as a private hospital called the Carlyle Clinic. The walls are made of 6-inch thick concrete. At one time, the upstairs conference room served as a museum for a large taxidermy collection, while the other two floors functioned as the actual medical clinic. The building was purchased from Dr. Brodie McDade and his wife Nellie on July 3, 1967 by the Alamance County Chapter.

The chapter house has a colorful history. Several volunteers currently working for the local chapter can actually boast of having been born in our building. Some believe (although it’s never been confirmed) that a friendly female ghost lives in the house and watches over the staff in times of crisis.

Blood Services was added to the Alamance County Chapter in December of 1963, and blood collections within the county began in January of the following year.

Today, the chapter operates programs in Emergency Services, Blood Services, and Health & Safety. We have a staff of three full time employees, three part time employees, a vibrant Board of Directors, and over 80 active volunteers.