A New Mission for a Historic Building at Savannah State University

It has been more than a decade since the closing of Hill Hall on the campus of Savannah State University, the historically black educational institution in Georgia. The building was built in 1901 by students who were studying blacksmithing. Over the years the building has housed the university library, served as a dormitory, and played host to U.S. President William Howard Taft. During World War I the building served as a barracks for black troops. The building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992, was closed in 1996 after it had fallen into disrepair.

Now a $3.2 million grant from the state of Georgia is being used to renovate Hill Hall. When it reopens in 2008, Hill Hall will be the home of the Savannah State admissions office.