Hill Hall (Savannah State College)

Hill Hall at Savannah State College, also known as Walter Bernard Hill Hall and built between 1900 and 1901 by students studying manual arts and blacksmithing, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.[1][2] The building was named for Dr. Walter Barnard Hill.[3]

Hill Hall at Savannah State College
Hill Hall (Savannah State College) is located in Georgia
Hill Hall (Savannah State College)
Hill Hall (Savannah State College) is located in the United States
Hill Hall (Savannah State College)
Nearest citySavannah, Georgia
Coordinates32.024053°N 81.056475°W / 32.024053; -81.056475
Built1901
Architectural styleClassical Revival
NRHP reference No.81000197[1]
Added to NRHPApril 23, 1981

History

Located on the campus of Savannah State University, the facility had a variety of uses since its initial construction including a bookstore, student center, male dormitory, and library. U.S. President William Howard Taft visited the building in 1912. Between 1914 and 1918, during World War I, the building served as a barracks facility for Black soldiers as they trained in Savannah.[3]

Hill Hall was closed in 1996 following protests by students when the building, a dorm at the time, fell into disrepair. For nearly 20 years campus officials and community groups worked to raise money for restoration. The building was damaged by fire on May 8, 2000 as work crews were completing renovations.[3] The building was reopened in 2008.[2]

Today, Hill Hall houses the university's Enrollment Management Center, a presidential suite, administrative offices, a lecture hall, a banquet room, and a mini-museum.[4]

Historical recognition

The Georgia Historical Commission and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have recognized both the Savannah State campus and Hill Hall as a part of the Georgia Historical Marker Program.[5] On April 26, 2001, a historic marker was erected by the Georgia Historical Society and the Savannah State University National Alumni Association.[3] The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation honored the Hill Hall Restoration project with its Excellence in Rehabilitation Award for 2009.[3]

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. "SSU's Hill Hall to reopen". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press. 2008-07-01. Archived from the original on 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2009-09-29.
  3. Mobley, Chuck (2009-06-14). "SSU's Hill Hall recognized for its restoration". SavannahNow.com. Savannah Morning News and Evening Press. Archived from the original on 2012-07-18. Retrieved 2009-06-16.
  4. "Grand Re-Opening Ceremony held for Hill Hall". The Savannah Tribune. 2008-08-13. Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  5. "Georgia Historical Markers". University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government. 2006. Archived from the original on 2007-04-10. Retrieved 2007-05-04.
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