Tallahassee Resident Launched Born on the Hill Project

The initiative aims to preserve the history of the Florida A&M University Hospital in Tallahassee.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in African-American

Screen-print poster illustration of vintage blueprints and an analog tape recorder on a brick ledge, evoking local historical preservation efforts. — Tallahassee resident Shauna Smith has launched the Born on the Hill project to document memories and experiences from Florida A&M University Hospital’s history. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Is it important to prioritize the preservation of historic community sites in your area?

Shauna Smith has launched the Born on the Hill project to collect stories and memories from people connected to the former Florida A&M University Hospital. The effort seeks to document the institution’s legacy as a vital training and educational center for Black residents in Florida.

Why it matters

The project serves to record the history of the hospital before the oral traditions and personal experiences of those involved fade over time. It provides a platform for former patients, students, and staff to share their experiences in a unified archive.

The initiative invites anyone who worked at, learned at, or was born in the facility to contribute their history. Notable connections include births dating back to at least June 1952 and clinical operations spanning the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The players

Shauna Smith

She is the individual who founded the Born on the Hill project.

FAMU Hospital

It functioned as a significant medical training and educational facility for Black residents in Florida.

Celeste Brickler Hart

She is a community member who was born at the hospital in 1952.

Alexander Brickler

He is a medical professional who served in the student clinic at the facility during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The details

Born on the Hill focuses on capturing the personal narratives of individuals who interacted with the hospital throughout its operational years. By gathering these accounts, the project aims to memorialize the facility's specific role in serving Tallahassee's Black community.

Celeste Brickler Hart was born at the hospital in June 1952.
Alexander Brickler worked in the student clinic during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The first Born on the Hill event is planned for September 2027.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a growing cultural emphasis on grassroots digital history, where individual memory becomes the primary source material for institutional records. It moves away from top-down historical accounts, prioritizing the lived experiences of Tallahassee residents who shaped the city.

Residents who have ties to the facility are encouraged to participate by recording their personal memories for the archives. This effort may also lead to future community events that celebrate the shared heritage of those who were born or served at the hospital.

The takeaway

Preserving the history of local institutions is essential for maintaining the cultural fabric of a community for future generations. Individuals interested in local history should consider documenting their own memories to ensure they are captured before they are lost.