Lincoln Hall, Berea College facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincoln Hall, Berea College
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Lincoln Hall, Berea College in 1980
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | Berea College campus, Berea, Kentucky |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1887 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000892 |
| Added to NRHP | December 2, 1974 |
Lincoln Hall is a very important building at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. It serves as the main office building for the college. Built in 1887, it was named to honor Abraham Lincoln.
In 1974, Lincoln Hall was named a U.S. National Historic Landmark. This special recognition was given because Berea College was the first higher education school in the United States. It was the first to welcome students of all races to learn together.
About Lincoln Hall
Lincoln Hall is located right in the center of the Berea College campus. It is a three-story building made of brick. The building has a classic, old-fashioned style.
It was built in 1887. At first, the first floor had classrooms and offices. The second floor held more classrooms and a library. The third floor was used for science labs, a museum, and meeting rooms. A person named Roswell C. Smith, who started Century Magazine, gave money to build it.
As Berea College grew, the way Lincoln Hall was used changed. By 1974, the building became home to the college President's office. It also housed other important administrative offices. It still serves these important roles today.
Berea College's Special History
Berea College was started in 1855 by John Gregg Fee. The college had to close during the American Civil War. This was because its idea of teaching students of all races together caused threats of violence.
Berea College is famous because it was the first college in the United States. It was created specifically to educate both Black and white students together. The college kept this important principle for many years.
A Challenge to Integration
In 1904, the state of Kentucky passed a law. This law forced schools like Berea to separate students by race. This led to a very important court case called Berea College v. Kentucky. In this case, the law forcing segregation was sadly upheld.
Despite this challenge, Berea College's early commitment to equality remains a key part of its history. Lincoln Hall stands as a symbol of this important past.
