Estey Hall
Encyclopedia
Estey Hall is a historic building on the campus of Shaw University
in Raleigh
, North Carolina
. It was the first building constructed for the higher education
of African-American women in the United States
. Built in 1873, Estey Hall is the oldest surviving building at Shaw, which is the oldest historically black college in the South
and was the first institution of higher learning established for freedmen after the Civil War
. The building, originally known as "Estey Seminary," was named in honor of Jacob Estey
, the largest donor to the construction project. Estey Hall, located in the East Raleigh-South Park Historic District
, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1973 and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark.
, a Union Army
chaplain and Baptist
missionary, founded the school in 1865 for the education of former slaves. Students and faculty originally met in a hotel room due to the lack of funding for land and buildings. In 1870, the school received a donation from philanthropist
Elijah J. Shaw, and with the money the school was able to purchase land near Fayetteville Street
. The school was charter
ed in 1875 by the North Carolina General Assembly
and given the official title of Shaw University. By educating young people, the school assisted in the rise of the black middle class
that arose in late 19th century Raleigh. Shaw University educated many of the region's black politicians and business leaders, such as M.T. Pope
.
When Shaw first opened, women were not allowed to attend the school. After a few years the school became coeducation
al, creating a need for a women's facility. School administrators chose G. S. H. Appleget, architect of large homes in Raleigh including the Heck-Andrews House
, to design the new building. The result was a four-story brick building with a cross-gable
roof topped off with a frame cupola
. In 1882, the three-story south annex was added. Estey Hall contained the home economics
, music, art, and religion classes.
Shaw students attended classes at Estey Hall until 1970. Deterioration had taken a toll on the building, forcing its closure after 97 years of service. Plans were made to tear down the building. The Estey Hall Foundation was then founded to halt demolition and restore the building to its original appearance.
Shaw University
Shaw University, founded as Raleigh Institute, is a private liberal arts institution and historically black university in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest HBCU in the Southern United States....
in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. It was the first building constructed for the higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
of African-American women in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Built in 1873, Estey Hall is the oldest surviving building at Shaw, which is the oldest historically black college in the South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
and was the first institution of higher learning established for freedmen after the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The building, originally known as "Estey Seminary," was named in honor of Jacob Estey
Jacob Estey
Jacob Estey was the founder of Estey Organ.-Biography:He was born in 1814 in Hinsdale, New Hampshire and ran away from an orphanage to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he learned the plumbing trade. He arrived in Brattleboro, Vermont in 1835 at age 21 to work in a plumbing shop which he soon bought...
, the largest donor to the construction project. Estey Hall, located in the East Raleigh-South Park Historic District
East Raleigh-South Park Historic District
The East Raleigh-South Park Historic District is the largest African-American neighborhood in Raleigh, North Carolina. The district, located south and east of downtown Raleigh, covers approximately 30 blocks and contains portions of the Smith-Haywood and St. Petersburg neighborhoods...
, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1973 and is a Raleigh Historic Landmark.
History
Henry Martin TupperHenry Martin Tupper
Henry Martin Tupper D.D. was a Baptist minister who founded Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, the first university established for African Americans following the end of the civil war, and the oldest historically black college and university in the Southern United States, as well as one...
, a Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
chaplain and Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
missionary, founded the school in 1865 for the education of former slaves. Students and faculty originally met in a hotel room due to the lack of funding for land and buildings. In 1870, the school received a donation from philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
Elijah J. Shaw, and with the money the school was able to purchase land near Fayetteville Street
Fayetteville Street (Raleigh)
Fayetteville Street is a major street in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. It is a north-south thoroughfare that connects the State Capitol to the Raleigh Convention Center and the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts...
. The school was charter
Charter
A charter is the grant of authority or rights, stating that the granter formally recognizes the prerogative of the recipient to exercise the rights specified...
ed in 1875 by the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
and given the official title of Shaw University. By educating young people, the school assisted in the rise of the black middle class
Black middle class
The black middle class, within the United States, refers to African Americans who occupy a middle class status within the American class structure. It is predominately a development that arose after the 1960s, during which the African American Civil Rights Movement led to reform movements aimed at...
that arose in late 19th century Raleigh. Shaw University educated many of the region's black politicians and business leaders, such as M.T. Pope
Pope House Museum
The Pope House Museum, built in 1901, is a restored home once owned by Dr. M.T. Pope, a prominent African-American citizen of Raleigh, North Carolina...
.
When Shaw first opened, women were not allowed to attend the school. After a few years the school became coeducation
Coeducation
Mixed-sex education, also known as coeducation or co-education, is the integrated education of male and female persons in the same institution. It is the opposite of single-sex education...
al, creating a need for a women's facility. School administrators chose G. S. H. Appleget, architect of large homes in Raleigh including the Heck-Andrews House
Heck-Andrews House
The Heck-Andrews House was finished in 1870 and was one of the first houses in Raleigh, North Carolina to be constructed after the American Civil War. The architectural design is of French influence and is called Second Empire that became popular after 1865. It is located on 309 North Blount...
, to design the new building. The result was a four-story brick building with a cross-gable
Gable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
roof topped off with a frame cupola
Cupola
In architecture, a cupola is a small, most-often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome....
. In 1882, the three-story south annex was added. Estey Hall contained the home economics
Home Economics
Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community...
, music, art, and religion classes.
Shaw students attended classes at Estey Hall until 1970. Deterioration had taken a toll on the building, forcing its closure after 97 years of service. Plans were made to tear down the building. The Estey Hall Foundation was then founded to halt demolition and restore the building to its original appearance.