There are three furnished spaces available for residents: Peeler Cottage, Esther Cottage, and Wiggie Cottage. All three of these studios are charmingly rustic and contain their own kitchen and bath facilities. They are also equipped with heating and cooling units and wireless Internet service. We provide bedding, towels, and wash clothes. Residents are expected to bring all materials and accessories necessary for their work. The cottages are designed to provide plenty of natural light and normal indoor light from lamps and overhead fixtures. The facilities at the LES Center may not be accessible to all guests. Please contact us for more information at LESCenter@piedmont.edu.
Peeler Cottage
This cottage is part of the main complex of the LES Center. It has two double beds, a work desk, a small dining table, and some cushioned chairs ideal for reading. It is named after Annie Laurie Peeler, a sister of Lillian Smith and a well-regarded and recognized expert in early childhood education. She was on the faculty of Memphis State University for many years, in addition to holding posts at various other institutions as a guest professor. Annie Laurie Peeler lived in this cottage after her retirement.
Esther Cottage
This cottage is part of the main complex of the LES Center. It has one double bed, one twin day bed, two work tables, and a small dining table. It is named after Esther Smith, a sister of Lillian Smith, who directed the theatre program at Western Maryland College for many years. She was one of the legendary professors at the institution, and a studio and walkway on campus bear her name. She performed in the Broadway production of Strange Fruit, adapted from Lillian Smith’s first novel by the same title. Esther Smith lived in this cottage after her retirement.
Wiggie Cottage
This cottage is not part of the main complex of the LES Center but is located across Highway 76 from the property, near the intersection of Old Chechero Road. It has one double bed, a small table, and a comfortable reading chair. It is the smallest of the three residential cottages at the Center and is shaped like a wigwam, the dome-shaped structures once used by some North American Indians. The back of the Wiggie Cottage property is bordered by Chechero Creek and is a short distance from Laurel Falls. The cottage is located between a bed & breakfast inn and a vacation home owned by relatives of Lillian Smith.
Common Room Cottage
This cottage is part of the main complex of the LES Center. It has a spacious sitting area, a dining table, and a full kitchen suitable for preparing meals for small groups. It has a large wooden deck looking out over the forest and offers a magnificent view of Old Screamer Mountain. The Common Room has been a traditional gathering place for residents and is also used by Piedmont University for public events, small programs, and receptions. The Lillian E. Smith House Museum, also in the Common Room Cottage, is a small apartment addition that served as Smith’s final living and work space. It contains her desk and typewriter, various memorabilia, and a portion of her library.
