Gibbs Cottage, the former home of FAMU founder Thomas Van Renssalaer Gibbs, has been awarded a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to fund a critical damage assessments and preservation planning for the deteriorating landmark. The funding, part of a national initiative to protect African-American heritage sites, positions the 19th-century structure—the oldest on FAMU’s campus—for potential restoration.
The vacant wooden cottage, relocated in 1984 to its current site near South Adams Street to accommodate the construction of the School of Nursing Building, has languished for decades despite its profound historical significance. Gibbs, a Reconstruction-era leader and member of Florida’s 1885 Constitutional Convention, authored the legislation establishing the State Normal College for Colored Students, which later became FAMU. His advocacy laid the groundwork for one of the nation’s most prominent historically Black universities.
“Gibbs Cottage is a tangible connection to FAMU’s origins and the vision of its founder,” said a spokesperson for the National Trust, which selected the site among two dozen African-American historic properties nationwide to receive preservation grants. “This funding is a first step toward preserving this significant historic site for future generations.”
The grant will support structural evaluations and a roadmap for stabilizing the cottage, which suffers from rot, weathering, and decades of neglect. Preservationists hope the effort will catalyze broader community investment in restoring the building, potentially transforming it into an educational museum or cultural space.
Local officials echoed the urgency of the project. “This isn’t just about saving a building—it’s about honoring the legacy of a man who fought for educational equity during Jim Crow,” said Delaitre Hollinger, the executive Director of the National Association for the preservation of African-American History and Culture. “Gibbs’ courage built FAMU; preserving his home ensures his contributions aren’t forgotten.”
The cottage’s plight highlights challenges faced by many historic Black landmarks, which often lack funding and visibility. Its inclusion in the National Trust’s initiative underscores its national significance, as Gibbs’ work reverberated far beyond Florida. It also underscores, the fact that for years, FAMU has totally neglected to stabilize or repair the home.
Local historians and alumni have long advocated for the site’s restoration. “Every time I pass that cottage, I think of the audacity it took to found an HBCU in post-Reconstruction Florida,” said Tallahassee historian Britney Williams. “Its preservation is a testament to resilience.”
While no timeline has been set for repairs, the grant marks a pivotal shift in the cottage’s fate. For now, the weathered structure stands as a silent sentinel of FAMU’s roots—but with renewed attention, it may soon reclaim its voice in telling one of America’s most vital stories of educational triumph.