CONGRESSMAN CLYBURN APPLAUDS NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANT AWARDS FOR HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

COLUMBIA, SC – Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn announced the National Park Service has awarded a new round of $9.7 million in historic preservation grants to 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities across 10 states, including two in South Carolina. 

Funding for these awards were made available through the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation program, which Congressman Clyburn has championed since he began his career in Congress to renovate historic buildings and structures on HBCU campuses. In 2019, Congressman Clyburn was instrumental in getting language included in the Natural Resources Management Act to reauthorize the program within the U.S. Department of Interior and ensure it’s funding until 2025. To date, the HBCU Historic Preservation program has awarded over $60 million in grants to over 80 HBCUs.

“This funding is a clear example of the Biden Administration’s commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and to improving the lives of minority students across the country,” said Congressman Clyburn. “These awards build on the Administration’s historic debt elimination for HBCU capital loans and will help restore and preserve buildings on these two campuses to ensure students have safe and adequate facilities in which to learn and excel.”

Benedict College and South Carolina State University will receive $1.5 million in this round of HBCU grant awards.  

Benedict College will receive a total of $1 million, which will be split equally to renovate Antisdel Chapel and Duckett Hall. The chapel renovation project will repair stained-glass windows and pews as well as renovate the floors and paint the exterior and interior of the building. This award will also help fund repairs to Antisdel Chapel’s electrical infrastructure, lighting (interior and exterior), roof, plaster walls, plumbing, and HVAC system. 

Duckett Hall, will use the funding to address severe water infiltration, window repairs, renovation of the restrooms, building systems upgrades, and replace the elevator.

"Benedict College is immensely grateful to the National Park Service for providing essential preservation funding for Antisdel Chapel and Duckett Hall on our campus. Our heartfelt appreciation is also extended to Congressman Clyburn for his unwavering advocacy and support for the preservation of our historic buildings," said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO. "Antisdel Chapel was built in 1932 as a house of worship for students, faculty, staff and the community.  Duckett Hall was erected in 1925 as a science building and now houses the Tyrone A. Burroughs School of Business & Entrepreneurship, which welcomes over 300 students or 17% of the student population daily. Both buildings are a part of Benedict's historic district.  As a result of NPS funding over the last three years totaling $2.5 million, all five buildings in the Benedict College Historic District will be architecturally and structurally preserved."

South Carolina State University will receive $500,000 to make needed HVAC repairs at Wilkinson Hall. Wilkinson Hall was constructed in 1938 and is part of the South Carolina State College Historic District. In its early history, the building functioned as the University’s library and law school building. This project will assess the effectiveness of the current HVAC systems, and install new heating and air conditioning if necessary.

“On behalf of the South Carolina State University family, I thank the National Park Service for its ongoing support of the Wilkinson Hall revitalization project,” SC State Acting President Alexander Conyers said. “This grant represents the NPS’ third crucial contribution to the project. Wilkinson Hall is an important part of SC State’s history, and preserving it means it will continue to serve generations of students who call our campus home. I also personally thank Congressman Clyburn for his steadfast support of his alma mater. SC State is fortunate to have such a loyal and dedicated son among its ranks.”

Below is a full list of institutions receiving grant awards: