COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Parks Service (NPS) has awarded a total of $3 million to three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in South Carolina to assist them with on-campus preservation and restoration projects.
Nationally, NPS awarded a total of $9.7 million for 14 projects in 10 states. The money was appropriated by Congress in fiscal year 2022 through NPS' Historic Preservation Fund for use in the fund's HBCU grant program.
US Congressman James Clyburn (SC-06), a champion of the program, said, “I am pleased to see another round of essential funding coming to South Carolina’s HBCUs. I applaud the National Park Service for supporting these preservation and rehabilitation projects. This continued support will help future generations remember the legacy of HBCUs.”
South Carolina's $3 million breaks down to these projects:
- Benedict College in Columbia, $750,000 for the Morgan Hall Preservation extension project -- Phase III. Morgan Hall, built in 1895, is the oldest building on campus as was home of five Benedict College presidents
- Benedict College in Columbia, $750,000 for rehabilitation of Antisdel Chapel. The chapel was built in 1932 in honor of Benedict College's last white president, Rev. C.B. Antisdel
- Allen University in Columbia, $750,000 for Coppin Hall Preservation Project. According to Historic Richland County SC, the cornerstone for Coppin Hall was laid in 1906 and the building was completed in 1907, for a price of $22,000. It is named after Bishop Levi Jenkins Coppin.
- South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, $750,000 for Wilkinson Hall Pathway to full rehabilitation -- Phase IV. This 16,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1938 and has become a SC State landmark.