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NCCU Year
in Pictures

NCCU home

Congressman 'eager to help' with restoration of landmark 
By Shanita Washington
Contributor to the Echo

About 25 years ago, N.C. Central University alumni tried to take a stand on restoring the residence of Dr. James E. Shepard, founder and first chancellor of the university. 

Today, Chancellor Julius Chambers is determined to complete the mission. According to Chambers, he sees the house as a “monument to Dr. Shepard and what he did for the school.” 

Chambers and the Shepard House Restoration Committee hope to gather the resources to restore the house and to involve the faculty, students, and community in an effort to return the house to its place as a vital part of the university program.

On Sept. 25th, 4th District Congressman David Price came to campus to tour the house.  Along with Chambers, Vice Chancellor for Development Tony Fairbanks, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development Gloria Haynes, Congressional Liaison Officer Tracey Lovett, and Dr. Phyllis Lotchin’s freshman composition students, Price did a walk-through of the historic building. 

“The restoration of this house can be a great example of faculty, community, and students working together to preserve a part of our history,” said Price. “ I am eager to see what I can do to help.” 

Built in 1925, the Shepard House was given to Dr. Shepard and his family by the community.  It was a gift to thank him for his contributions to the school and the surrounding area. 

The house became a center of activities for the university and a gathering place where many important guests — frequently speakers in the school’s Lyceum Series — were entertained.

In those days, many out-of-town guests spent the night there because Jim Crow laws prevented them from using other accommodations. 

Among the Shepards’ many guests were Countee Cullen, Adam Clayton Powell, Marian Anderson, and Mary McLeod Bethune. 

University archivist Brooklyn McMillon said he remains optimistic that the Shepard House will be restored. 

“Ever since Chancellor Chambers has been in office, he has been committed to restoring the Shepard House,” said McMillon. 

Chambers, who announced in July that he would be leaving NCCU in June 2001, reiterated that commitment in an interview with the Echo last month.
 “I always wanted to get that Shepard House restored, and I needed to raise enough money to do it, and I’m concentrating on that,” said Chambers.

So far, $325,000 has been raised to renovate Shepard House, according to a report from NCCU development affairs. The report estimates that $650,000-$750,000 is the total needed to complete the project.