North Carolina Construction News staff writer
The National Park Service will provide $9.7 million in grants to preserve Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
This year, the grants will fund 21 preservation projects across nine states, including four North Carolina universities, according to a news release.
“For more than 180 years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities have provided high-level academics, opportunities, and community for generations of students,” says NPS Director Chuck Sams. “These grants enable HBCUs to preserve the noteworthy structures that honor the past and tell the ongoing story of these historic institutions.”
North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, Shaw University and St. Augustine’s University have been named as 2022 Grant Award Recipients in North Carolina.
Each project will receive $500,000.
North Carolina A&T University is receiving grants for two different projects:
- $500,000 to rehabilitate World War Memorial Stadium – the oldest minor-league ballpark in North Carolina. Work will include repairs to the structural concrete seating desk and installation of new seating, including the addition of ADA-accessible seating and other safety devices.
- $500,000 to rehabilitate Vanstory Hall, a residence hall built in 1966.
The following projects were also funded in North Carolina:
- North Carolina Central University will use the grant to rehabilitate windows at the James Shepard Administration Building.
- Shaw University, the oldest Historically Black University in the Southern United States, will rehabilitate Tyler Hall – the original Shaw Library.
- Augustine’s University will receive a grant to help repair their historic Chapel.
Benedict College in South Carolina will receive a $500,000 grant to rehabilitate historic Morgan Hall.
“Buildings like Morgan Hall are a rare treasure that contain a wealth of institutional history,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president, and CEO, Benedict College. “I am grateful to the National Park Service for their commitment to helping the College to preserve its historic buildings. Built in 1895, Morgan Hall is the former home of five Benedict College presidents and the current home of Institutional Advancement.”
The primary goal is to architecturally and structurally preserve the historic resource by mitigating the threat of water infiltration. The objective is to refurbish the close to 50 windows located throughout the building.
Universities in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia also received grants.