Truth Hall, FAMU’s last standing residence hall named after a woman, comes tumbling down

Truth Hall, the stately brick residence hall that opened on the campus of Florida A&M University in 1958 and served female students until 2020, is the latest of the university’s historic structures meeting the fate of the wrecking ball.

RAM Construction began demolition on Feb. 27, with a completion date of May 5.

The land under FAMU’s last historic women’s residence hall, named after abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth, will become a green space next to Will Packer Performing Arts Amphitheater.

It was the last active residence hall named after a woman on FAMU’s campus.

The demolition is preceded by six other residence halls in the span of five years.

In 2019, McGuinn, Diamond, Cropper, and Wheatley halls were demolished. In 2021, Paddyfote Complex was demolished.

The removal of the Palmetto North Apartments complex was completed this month.

McGuinn Hall was named after Nanny S. McGuinn, dean of women at FAMU from 1924 to 1943; Cropper Hall was named after Lula B. Cropper, former dean of women, and Wheatley Hall was named in honor of Phillis Wheatley, a poetess who was the first African American to publish a book of poems.

The removal of the dated structures is symbolic of the university’s plans to add newer and more modern housing to its campus, rather than investing millions to upgrade the historic buildings.

An engineering report showed Truth Hall had water penetration, poor HVAC systems, and deterioration. The building was also not compliant with ADA guidelines.

Craig Talton, director of facilities, planning and construction at FAMU, said the cost of demolition is $505,402, which is cost efficient compared to the estimate of renovations which would have cost up to $20 million.

More FAMU housing news:FAMU closes on $13 million purchase of apartments, adding 116 beds for housing

Other:FAMU's Paddyfote dorm wasn't the Hilton, but it was home for generations of students

More:Inside FAMU’s plans and the controversy of razing Truth Hall — and the fight to save it

Not everyone is happy about the changes.

Tallahassee historian Delaitre Hollinger, president of the National Association for the Preservation of African American History and Culture, filed a lawsuit against the university in February 2022 requesting an emergency court order to halt the demolition, saying its demise and that of other structures, could threaten FAMU’s National Historic District status. The suit was dismissed by the court.

“Destroying another historic legacy building,” FAMU alumna Priscilla Hawkins posted on Facebook last weekend.  “All progress is not good progress.”

However, other alumni agree the university must continue to modernize housing to better accommodate students.

“New students shouldn't be living in decrepit old buildings so alumni can come by once a year and point at the dorm they lived in 30 years ago,” FAMU alumnus Shimonzu Zatsu commented on Facebook.

FAMU Vice President of Student Affairs William E. Hudson Jr.  acknowledges the opposing views.

“There are mixed emotions concerning the demolition of any residence halls.  Faculty, staff, and students value the historic significance yet understand current students desire upgraded amenities consistent with other universities nationwide,” Hudson told the Tallahassee Democrat.

Other residence halls on the chopping block include Gibbs Hall, Palmetto South, and Phase 3 apartments.

When Paddyfote was demolished, students and alumni purchased bricks from the rubble to memorialize the complex. Hudson says commemorative bricks from Truth Hall will be sold through the FAMU Foundation.

Contact Democrat writer Alaijah Brown at ABrown1@gannett.com and on Twitter at @BrownAlaijah.  

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Truth Hall, last FAMU residence hall named for a woman, razed