Selma University to get $750,000 to preserve Foster Hall

Selma University is getting $750,000 from the National Park Service to preserve Foster Hall on its campus.

The announcement was made by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Alabama) today.

The funding is part of a $10.6 million investment by NPS to preserve historic structures on the campuses of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“I am so proud to have helped secure this $750,000 to preserve the historic Foster Hall on the campus of Selma University!” Rep. Sewell said in a statement. “This is about ensuring that the rich legacy of this cherished institution lives on for generations to come. As Representative for America’s Civil Rights District, I am proud to lead the effort in Congress to increase funding for the National Park Service Historic Preservation Civil Rights Grant Program. Fighting for funding like this will continue to be one of my top legislative priorities!”

Sewell serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional HBCU Caucus.

“I am extremely grateful for the grant award,” said Selma University President Dr. Stanford Angion. “Foster Hall is the oldest extant building on Selma University’s campus. Women of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention led the effort to raise funds for the building, which became a women’s dormitory in 1910. These funds will help us to protect and restore it for use as a women’s dormitory.”

Foster Hall was built in 1910 and named for Miss Susie C. Foster, who was president of the Women’s Convention at the time of its construction.

As Action 8 News reported in February, Selma University also received $750,000 to transform Pollard Hall into a cultural and communal anchor for the campus and community.

Since the 1990s, the National Park Service has awarded over $70 million in grants to over 80 of the remaining active HBCUs. These grants work to preserve the historic structures on HBCU campuses, many of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.