Estey Hall

Estey Hall is a brick building on the Shaw University campus featuring Italianate design with cross-gabled roofs and a central cupola. The structure has stuccoed window surrounds and now houses offices for university staff.

Built in 1873, the structure was the first building in the United States created specifically for higher education of Black women. It remains the oldest standing building on the Shaw University campus today.

The building once housed classes in home economics, music, art, and religion for Black women, providing access to education that was rarely available elsewhere. These programs made it one of the first places where African American women could study such subjects formally.

The building is typically accessible Monday through Friday during standard campus hours. Check ahead to confirm access times and whether special events might affect visiting.

The building was named after Jacob Estey, who provided funding for its construction, and was listed on the National Register in 1973. It served as an active classroom building for over a century before becoming office space in 1970.