"Believed to be the second oldest campus structure. Originally for women students, its normal capacity was 99 persons before going out of service. It was rebuilt in 1949 following destruction by a hurricane, then had several renovations. Symera and Lane Halls are connected by a small area formerly known as the “Captain’s Cabin,” then a Faculty dining area. The building is named for Symera Raynor Moore (1860-1922), wife of the first President."
On 3 March 1891, an African-American representative from Pasquotank County in the North Carolina General Assembly sponsored a bill for the establishment of a school for the "teaching and training teachers of the colored race [in Elizabeth City] to teach in the common schools of North Carolina." That school, now Elizabeth City State University, has transformed over the last 125 years from a normal school for African-American teachers to a four-year university offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees. In 1994, the National Register of Historical Places recognized the Elizabeth City State Teachers College Historic District, the original six campus buildings on the current site (an earlier building was rented on Shannon Street, now Herrington Road), as a historic landmark.
Named for Harold Leonard Trigg, President of Elizabeth City State Teachers College (1939-45), the Trigg Building was built in 1939 in a Colonial Revival style and expanded in 195/69. It has served multiple purposes over time, as a library (named for G.R. Little, as the current library is), archives, student union, administration building (named for Marion D. Thorpe, as the current administration building is) and now office building.
Moore Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus and is listed on the National Historic Registry. Moore Hall is named for the first leader of Elizabeth City State University, Peter W. Moore, who was called a Principal (subsequent leaders would be called President, then Chancellor). Moore served as Principal and then President until his retirement as President, Emeritus, on July 1, 1928. Currently, Moore Hall is closed.
Lane Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus. The seal on the front of the building is now one of the symbols of the university. Lane Hall is used as the center for Math and Computer Science classes.
Historic 2-story, wooden former residence for every CEO of ECSU and their families except Drs. Moore, Burnim, and Gilchrist. Constructed 1923 and known also as the “Vice Principal’s Residence,” since it was first occupied by –then Vice Principal Bias, it was renovated (1992) for its current usage and was renovated again (2004) a matched State Historic Preservation grant.
Bias Hall is located on the grounds of Elizabeth City State University. It is part of the historical buildings found in the national historical registry. Named for the president of the school at the time of construction, John Henry Bias. It is an immaculate, historical structure built of a large three-story dormitory building in the Colonial Revival style.
With the idea for a new physical education building in 1947 and help from architect J. Alien Maxwell Williams Hall was born. Williams Hall was constructed to be a 2 story building with 4 wings added in 1951 a gymnasium for physical education and classrooms for fine arts services as well as a home economics area. Williams Hall has been renovated and refurbished plenty of times and was formally the source for the music department as well. Since 2003-2004 the building has undergone plenty of moderations and improvements and is now the new home of the school's Business and Economics.
Built with the assistance of Sears Roebuck president Julius Rosenwald's school-building fund in 1921-22, the Model Practice School served local African-American children who were taught, in part, by teachers in training at the Normal School. Previously located along Parkview (then Southern) Avenue, it was moved in 1957 to its current site. It functioned as a practice school until the 1940s and has since housed the school laundry, a laboratory kindergarten, a cosmetology program, and most recently the ECSU ROTC Viking Battalion.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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Developed by Introduction to History students at Elizabeth City State University, this walking tour guides visitors through the Parkview Avenue side of campus, a National Historic District. The tour includes images, information about the buildings, and the history of the "shining star of the northeast."
