Benedict College has been awarded a $750,000 National Park Service grant to continue preservation work on Morgan Hall, the oldest building on the college’s campus.
The three-year Morgan Hall Preservation Progression Project will build on the college’s initial National Park Service preservation grant awarded in 2018. Officials said the project will continue efforts to restore the historic building while maintaining its architectural character and structural integrity.
“Morgan Hall is more than the oldest building on our campus; it is a living testament to the vision, courage, and determination of those who believed education would open doors of opportunity for generations of African Americans,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “We are not simply restoring a building, we are protecting a story of perseverance, progress, and the transformative power of education.”
According to the college, the preservation project supports the recognition, understanding and preservation of the HBCU story and the protection of historic properties documenting the progress of the American people.
The project will address the ongoing effects of water intrusion, aging and deterioration while continuing restoration objectives established through Benedict College’s original 2018 National Park Service award.
Planned work includes upgrades to mechanical systems and interior lighting, along with plumbing improvements. Crews will also repair or replace hard and suspended ceilings, sand and refinish historic wood floors and stairs, and paint walls, trim and ceilings.
The project also calls for replacing damaged or missing tiles in restrooms and kitchenette areas, as well as countertops and hardware in restrooms, breakrooms and office doors.
“This $750,000 award represents far more than the restoration of a historic building. It is an investment in preserving the Benedict College story, the HBCU experience, and the generations of African Americans whose pursuit of education, leadership, and opportunity is reflected within these walls,” said Dr. Walletta Johnson, Director of Development, Assistant Director of Title III, Sponsored Programs, Foundation, and author of the grant proposal. “Morgan Hall has stood as a witness to more than a century of Benedict’s history, and this grant will help ensure that its legacy is preserved for generations yet to come.”
Benedict College said the improvements are intended to help prevent further deterioration while preserving Morgan Hall’s architectural integrity and historic character.