Our Hometown: Hill Hall

It's considered the heart and soul of the campus.

"It's like the White House of Savannah State University. In essence, it is the symbol of what Savannah State stands for. It is impregnable and has withstood the ravages of time... and it is still a graceful lady."

Built by students and faculty in 1901, Hill Hall is SSU's oldest existing structure.

It opened as a male dormitory during the administration of the school's founder and first president- former slave, Richard R. Wright.

Since then, it's served several purposes.

"It's been the college library. It was the student center. The student post office. Then, it became the classroom building.

In 1912, President William Howard Taft paid a visit to the school to speak to the students... From 1914 to 1918, the building served as a barracks for African-American soldiers training in Savannah during World War I.Years later, it would provide the backdrop for Paramount pictures and the John Travolta movie, "The General's Daughter."

Dr. Charles Elmore is a Savannah State graduate as was his father, his siblings, his wife, and his daughter.

He says Hill Hall is where found memories are made...

"It's where I met my wife."

... and history making moments are remembered.

"As a freshman on November on November 22, 1963... I shall never forget it... the Student Union was the first floor of Hill Hall. I was sitting there looking at television and suddenly, a news bulletin flashed... President John F. Kennedy has been shot."

But on May 8, 2000, that history was almost lost as fire ripped through the structure. Dr. Carlton Brown was president.

And it did. After years of renovations, Hill Hall re-opened in 2008. It now houses student services and administrative offices.

"When I was SGA president in 1967, my office was on the second floor of Hill Hall... overlooking the campus."

Today, Dr. Elmore is back at SSU as professor emeritus and a consultant to the Office of the President. He's also back in Hill Hall where his office... this time on the third floor... where his office still provides a really nice view.

Overlooking a banner bearing the words of the school's first president.... "and tell them we are rising."

Hill Hall is named in honor of Walter Bernard hill, a chancellor of the University of Georgia

In 1981, it was placed on the National Register of Historic places.

In 2001, the Georgia Historical Society and the Savannah State University National Alumni Association erected a marker.