Winston-Salem State Received Historic Preservation Grant

The National Park Service awarded $750,000 to renovate the campus’s historic Simon Green Atkins House.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Financial Aid

Screen-print poster illustration of a historic brick university gable and porch detail, evoking architectural heritage. — The National Park Service awarded Winston-Salem State University a $750,000 grant to renovate the historic 1893 Simon Green Atkins House. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should public funds be used to renovate historic buildings on university campuses?

Winston-Salem State University secured a $750,000 grant from the National Park Service to restore the Simon Green Atkins House. The funding will support repairs to the 1893 structure located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.

Why it matters

Preserving this historic site allows the university to maintain a connection to local history and school heritage. The house is the final surviving structure from a group of three original neighborhood homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The grant provides $750,000 to renovate the 1893 house, which is the sole remaining property of three original neighborhood homes listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The players

National Park Service

This federal agency is responsible for the protection and preservation of historic sites across the United States.

Winston-Salem State University

This public university located in North Carolina serves as the current steward of the Simon Green Atkins House.

The details

The renovation project targets weather-related damage, specifically including roof replacements and HVAC system upgrades. The building, which currently operates as the Office of Alumni Affairs on the Winston-Salem State campus, still requires formal project approval from the WSSU Board of Trustees and the UNC Board of Governors.

The Simon Green Atkins House was originally constructed in 1893.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a growing emphasis on maintaining academic heritage sites rather than replacing older buildings with modern facilities. It aligns with broader institutional efforts to honor school history through the preservation of historic campus architecture.

The restoration will maintain a landmark feature of the campus for students and alumni visiting the Office of Alumni Affairs. Future activities within the building may be temporarily affected once the construction phase begins following board approvals.

The takeaway

Historic preservation grants provide essential funding for universities to protect architectural landmarks that would otherwise face decay. Campus stakeholders should monitor upcoming board meeting agendas for updates on the implementation schedule.