Three Mississippi HBCUs awarded $3.1 million total to preserve their 'vibrant history'

Three of Mississippi's Historically Black Colleges and Universities are set to receive more than $3.1 million in total to help preserve historical structures on their campus.

The National Park Service announced via a press release that the organization awarded $10,670,000 to 15 projects in eight states as part of the Historic Preservation Fund’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities grant program. The program is aimed at repairing historic structures across HBCU campuses in the United States.

According to the news release, Congress appropriated funding for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant Program in Fical Year 2023 through the Historic Preservation Fund , where funding is provided by Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas lease revenues, not tax dollars.

Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Rust College are set to receive a combined total of $3,170,964 in funds from the grant program for specific projects.

“It’s vital for America’s HBCUs to preserve their vibrant history, ensuring that the places and the events that happened there are not forgotten,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams in the media release. “I’m proud that the National Park Service can support this locally-led stewardship.”

Alcorn State University, Lorman

• Harmon Hall Repairs, Phase 1 — award amount: $722,400
• Dormitory No. 2 Rehabilitation — award amount: $750,000
• Belles Lettres Hall Rehabilitation — award amount: $750,000

“Alcorn State University is grateful to the National Park Service for awarding us over $2 million to preserve and rehabilitate our historic structures. We appreciate their commitment to conserving the rich heritage of our nation’s HBCUs. In addition, I would like to thank our Economic Development and Community Engagement team for their grant writing efforts, which brought this work to fruition," Alcorn State President Tracy Cook said in a statement to the Clarion Ledger.

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Jackson State University

• Preservation of the Zachary T. Hubert Health Center (former health center) — award amount: $198,564

"We deeply appreciate this generous grant award from the National Park Service. This funding will be instrumental in preserving the history of our Zachary T. Hubert Health Center, once a vital resource for the healthcare needs of our neighbors, students, faculty and staff. Safeguarding this facility helps us in our mission to honor and uplift the Jackson State legacy. We are grateful for the continued support to maintain our historical assets and resources,” said Jackson State President Marcus L. Thompson in a statement to the Clarion Ledger.

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Rust College, Holly Springs

• Leontyne Price Library Rehabilition — award Amount: $750,000

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"Rust College, Mississippi's oldest HBCU and the state's second oldest institution of higher education, is pleased and proud to announce grant funding from the National Park Service that will be used to restore Leontyne Price Library. Rust College continues to meet the educational needs and aspirations of the citizens of Mississippi, the Nation, and many foreign countries. The Leontyne Price Library is not only at the geographic and educational center of our campus, but it is a historic structure, which has been and remains an integral element in numerous campus activities and functions," Robert Dixon, president of Rust College, said in a statement to the Clarion Ledger.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Three Mississippi HBCUs awarded $3.1 million total to preserve their 'vibrant history'