To kick off February, Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick announced at a groundbreaking ceremony the start of extensive renovations to the school’s historic, 109-year-old Myrtilla Miner Building. This restoration marks the start of Howard University’s $785 million Central Campus Master Plan, the largest campus development project in the school’s history.

As noted by Howard University, preservation and sustainability are at the core of the institution’s real estate development initiatives. When renovations are complete, the Miner Building will serve as a shared space for the university's School of Education and Middle School of Mathematics and Science. 

Work will be conducted mainly on the building’s interior. Significant architectural features, such as the building’s two-story arched windows, limestone baseboards in corridors, and two grand staircases that rise from the ground floor to the second floor, are being preserved. 

“This really is a full-circle moment in Howard’s history,” said Frederick. “As we embark on this venture to create a space that meets the needs of the 21st-century classroom, a space that connects educators and students at such critical moments in their subsequent learning journeys, we recognize the significance of being able to do that in a building that holds a legacy of educating some of the nation’s first Black teachers.” 

The Myrtilla Miner Building was constructed between 1913 and 1914. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its historical and architectural significance. The three-story brick structure has been largely unused for decades due to the need for renovations. Myrtilla Miner was a white educator who fought for the rights of Black teachers and students in the mid-1800s. In 1929, the building was renamed the Miner Teachers College and trained Black teachers there for 70 years. 

“The restoration of the Miner building represents an exciting step in our journey to revitalize Howard University’s campus,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Rashad Young. “We have a fantastic team of dedicated builders, architects, and project managers led by our Real Estate Development and Capital Asset Management (REDCAM) division that will ensure this project does justice to the incredibly history of this building, and that it is set up to provide the School of Education and Middle School a top tier educational experience.” 

Through the Central Campus Master Plan, Howard University will build three state-of-the-art multidisciplinary academic buildings and renovate several existing structures through 2026. This is the first time since 1984 that the university has constructed new buildings for academic programs.