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Vawter Hall and Old President's House facts for kids

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Vawter Hall and Old President's House
Vawter Hall at VSU.jpg
Vawter Hall
Vawter Hall and Old President's House is located in Virginia
Vawter Hall and Old President's House
Location in Virginia
Vawter Hall and Old President's House is located in the United States
Vawter Hall and Old President's House
Location in the United States
Location Virginia State University campus, Ettrick, Virginia
Area 3 acres (1.2 ha)
Built 1907
Architectural style Queen Anne
NRHP reference No. 80004180
Quick facts for kids
Significant dates
Added to NRHP May 07, 1980

Vawter Hall and the Old President's House are two very old and important buildings located at Virginia State University. This university is special because it was the first state-supported college in the United States created specifically for African American students. These historic buildings help tell the story of education and progress for many people.

A Look at Vawter Hall and the Old President's House

Vawter Hall was built in 1907 and officially opened in 1908. It was named after Charles E. Vawter, who was a leader at the school and believed strongly in teaching practical skills. The Old President's House was also built around the same time, serving as the home for the university's president. Both buildings show a style of architecture called Queen Anne, which was popular back then.

The Story of Virginia State University

Virginia State University started a long time ago, in 1882. It was first known as the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute. The school was created thanks to an agreement with a political group called the Readjuster Party. This party worked to make sure that African American students in Virginia could get a higher education, which was a big step forward at the time.

Why These Buildings Are Important

Vawter Hall and the Old President's House are more than just old buildings. They represent the early days of Virginia State University and its mission to provide education for African Americans. Because of their historical importance, these buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means they are recognized as special places that should be protected for future generations to learn from.

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