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Early Monday, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Selma, announced to the faculty and staff of Selma University and its community members about the new funding received from the National Park Service.

The university will receive $750,000 to help with the continued revitalization of Foster Hall. 

“Historic preservation is all about ensuring that the rich legacies of our cherished institutions live on for generations to come, which is exactly why this project is so important,” Sewell said. “We cannot forge a better future if we do not know our past and Selma University works tirelessly to teach the students of today about the people and the places of the movement.”

Selma University’s Foster Hall was a women’s dormitory built in 1910 and named after Susie C. Foster, who was the president of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention at the time of its construction, according to the Selma University’s website.

Right now, SU’s Foster Hall stands as the oldest extant building on the HBCU’s campus. 

“This building stands as a towering trophy to the legacy of African American women throughout the State of Alabama,” said Selma University president Stanford E. Angion. “The funds from the NPS grant will stabilize the structure and renovate the first-floor meeting area and classroom space.” 

Angion said the first floor of the building will also include several historical markers, located in and out of the building, allowing students to remember the history of the preserved space that took place over 100 years ago.

“In total, we anticipate this project taking at least a year to complete,” Angion said. “That’s because the process requires us to go back and forth through the National Park Service and then through various architects and vendors to compete for the contracts.”

Angion said the next focal point of the revitalization process for Foster Hall will include the revitalization of the upstairs area of the building as well, keeping it a women’s dormitory. 

In the near future, Angion said he will continue to pursue additional funding to help with second layer of the renovation process but said right now he’s really excited for what’s to come. He is encouraged and inspired that others are interested in the preservation of such rich history and what it means for them to continue to expand and do the work they were organized to do. 

The revitalized building will serve the functionality purpose of teaching and learning. It will also provide a space for women who choose to come to Selma University and live in spaces that are dedicated to them. 

Not only will Selma University’s Foster Hall continue the revitalization process, but the buildings near it such as SU’s Pollard Hall and Dinkins Hall will also be renovated.