Allen University, Private university in Columbia, South Carolina.
Allen University is a private college in Columbia spread across a historic district featuring educational buildings such as Coppin Hall and the Chappelle Administration Building. The campus also includes former medical facilities and administrative structures that define the grounds.
The institution was founded in 1870 as Payne Institute by African Methodist Episcopal Church clergy and moved to Columbia in 1880. The relocation brought the adoption of its present name and established it as a key educational center for the Black community.
The Chappelle Auditorium served as a meeting place during the civil rights movement and continues to host important community gatherings today.
The campus is accessible on foot with clearly marked pathways and identifiable buildings throughout the grounds. Visitors should inquire ahead, as not all areas are open to the public.
The grounds include the former Good Samaritan-Waverly Hospital, now used for initiatives honoring the Emanuel Nine. This less-known part of campus connects medical history with local remembrance practices.
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