Peace College is a small liberal arts women's college located in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. It is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is a member of the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities. As of 2006, Peace College has a student body of approximately 700 women and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The college was founded in 1857 as Peace Institute by prominent men within the Presbyterian Synod of North Carolina. The leading donation of $10,000 USD ($205,000 in 2005 dollars) came from William Peace, a prominent local merchant. Peace was a member of the second class of the University of North Carolina (class of 1800) and a longtime proponent of education as a benefactor of Raleigh Academy, a school primarily for boys. Additionally, Peace donated 8 acres (32,000 m) for the campus site. Main Building, a red brick, white-columned Greek revival building was built between 1859-1862,but was commandeered by the Confederate States government early in the Civil War to be used as an army hospital.