VSU Celebrates Restoration of Ashley Hall

VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the restoration of Ashley Hall on Monday, Nov. 5. One of the university's oldest building, first constructed in 1921, the restoration project was designed by local architectural firm Altman + Barrett Architects and contractors Allstate Construction, Tallahassee, Fla.

The $5.5 million restoration project took two years to complete and is now home to the Department of History and Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies.

Named for former Valdosta Mayor C.R. Ashley, who served from 1900 to 1904, the 26,000-square-foot building has undergone many renovations in the past but the recent improvements represent a complete restoration of the building.

The original building contained a dining room and kitchen and the rotunda was used for numerous social functions and in 1942 was dedicated as a chapel.