HBCU Success Stories: Virginia State University

West Elevation of Storum Hall.

Virginia State University

Vawter and Storum Hall Restoration

Project Description

Virginia State University was founded in 1882 and has received three HBCU grants. These grants have provided funding to continue preservation work on two historically significant buildings on the campus of Virginia State University: Vawter Hall and Storum Hall. Vawter Hall (1908) and the Old President's House (1907), now known as Storum Hall, are Virginia State University’s oldest institutional buildings. These two historically significant buildings are the only building on the campus of Virginia State University that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Impact

"We first became aware of the HBCU grant program through a listing of funding opportunities from the Grants Resource Center provided by the University’s grant office. The opportunity offered funding for preservation activities for buildings that are registered in the National Park Service’s Registry of Historic Places. Virginia State University (VSU) has two buildings that are listed in the Registry. Storum Hall, constructed in 1907, is the University’s oldest surviving structure and Vawter Hall, home to our Languages and Literature department, was constructed in 1908. Both buildings were in use but needed attention and thoughtful treatment. As a result of this funding, our Vawter Hall building received a new roof and damaged wooden components and past non-compliant construction were replaced making the building safer for the occupants and extending the life of the building. The Storum Hall building has its first fire suppression and alarm systems in its 106-year history, and is well equipped to serve the Virginia State University campus community for the next 106 years. We are delighted to report that we have recently been awarded a third preservation grant at our Vawter Hall building are considering listing additional buildings in order to expand eligibility across our campus. We are hooked!" - Jane Harris Assistant Vice President, Facilities and Capital Outlay