Ayer Hall

Standing before you is Ayer Hall, the oldest building on JSU's campus, constructed in 1903. What began as a science building has transformed into something remarkable; the Margaret Walker Center, named for one of JSU's most distinguished faculty members.

In 1968, poet and novelist Dr. Margaret Walker Alexander founded what would become this center, dedicated to preserving Black history and culture at a pivotal moment in America. Her poem "For My People" and novel "Jubilee" stand as landmarks in American literature. Inside, the center houses rare first editions of works by Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Richard Wright, alongside more than 2,000 oral histories—including interviews with people recorded in the 1930s.

The center hosts the annual Creative Arts Festival, where scholars from across the country present research on Black culture. Its archives have provided essential primary sources for countless books, documentaries, and museum exhibitions exploring the African American experience in Mississippi. This building represents JSU's commitment to preserving voices that might otherwise be silenced, making it not just a repository of the past, but a vital resource for understanding our present.
Ayer Hall & The Margaret Walker Center: Preserving African-American History and Legacy

Ayer Hall & The Margaret Walker Center: Preserving African-American History and Legacy

History of Ayer Hall:

Ayer Hall is a cornerstone of Jackson State University’s history and a beacon of African American education. As the oldest building on the JSU campus, Ayer Hall dates back to 1903, when it was constructed as the first academic building of the then-Jackson College. It served as the main administrative and academic facility for the college in its early years and was a focal point for student life and educational development.

The building is named after Charles Ayer, an early administrator of the institution, who was appointed by the American Baptist Mission Society to oversee the establishment of the school. Originally, Ayer Hall housed a variety of functions, including classrooms, faculty offices, a chapel, and a bookstore. As the institution grew and evolved, so too did the building’s role. It housed multiple dormitories, a manual training shop, and administrative offices over its long history.

Ayer Hall

In many ways, Ayer Hall symbolizes the growth of Jackson State University from its origins as a seminary for African American ministers to its transformation into a full-fledged college. As JSU’s main academic building, Ayer Hall became the heart of the institution, reflecting its commitment to African American higher education during a time when opportunities for Black students were limited.

In 1977, Ayer Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its profound importance to the history of African-American education in the United States.

Transformation into the Margaret Walker Center:

In 1968, Dr. Margaret Walker Alexander, a celebrated poet, educator, and writer, founded the Institute for the Study of the History, Life, and Culture of Black People in Ayer Hall. Dr. Walker, best known for her novel Jubilee, founded the institute with the vision of preserving and promoting African-American heritage and culture.

Dr. Walker's vision was transformative, focusing on creating a space that would not only archive and protect the history of Black Americans but also promote Black scholarship, literature, and culture. She sought to provide a platform for African Americans to celebrate their identity and tell their stories. The Institute became a precursor to what is now the Margaret Walker Center (MWC).

Margaret Walker Center

After Dr. Walker’s retirement, the institute was renamed in her honor, and the Margaret Walker Center continues to be a vital resource for preserving African American history, culture, and heritage at Jackson State University. The MWC occupies the historic Ayer Hall, which is fitting given Dr. Walker’s role in the university’s development. The Margaret Walker Center is now a premier museum, archive, and research center, offering valuable resources for those seeking to explore African American history in Mississippi and beyond.

Role in Preserving African-American History:

Today, the Margaret Walker Center serves as a living museum and research archive dedicated to African American history and culture. The center’s collections include over 2,000 oral histories, documents, letters, photos, and other materials that offer unique insight into African-American life. The papers of Dr. Margaret Walker, including personal manuscripts and correspondence, are housed here, as well as records of other notable African Americans, including Roderick Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education.

The MWC is not only a place to preserve history but also to educate future generations. Through its exhibits and programs, it shares the stories of African American life, focusing on pivotal moments such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Gibbs‑Green shootings, and the struggle for justice and equality in Mississippi. The center also engages with the broader community by hosting public programs, lectures, and cultural events that highlight African-American achievements and address contemporary issues.

Historical Significance of Ayer Hall’s Role in JSU’s Legacy:

Ayer Hall is not just a building; it is a physical testament to the history of Jackson State University and its long-standing commitment to African-American education. For much of the 20th century, the building housed nearly every major function of the university, from classrooms to student dormitories. Ayer Hall was the place where students first stepped into JSU and began their academic journeys.

Throughout its history, Ayer Hall has witnessed moments of significant importance in the university's civil rights history. In 1961, for example, students Joyce and Dorie Ladner led a prayer vigil on its steps in solidarity with the Tougaloo Nine sit-in, a peaceful protest against segregation in Mississippi. This was an act of campus protest that led to their expulsion from Jackson State—a defining moment of student activism. Such events are now documented and remembered through the work of the Margaret Walker Center.

As a site of intellectual engagement and political activism, Ayer Hall holds a dual legacy: it was both a center for academic development and a beacon for Black activism during the Civil Rights Movement. The building itself witnessed the determination of students fighting for their rights, and it continues to be a symbol of resilience and Black empowerment.

The Margaret Walker Center’s Ongoing Impact:

The Margaret Walker Center remains a crucial part of Jackson State University’s cultural and academic life. It continues to foster interdisciplinary study and research in African-American studies, literature, history, and civil rights. The center plays an important role in community engagement, hosting educational events, lectures, and programs that connect JSU students with their heritage and offer opportunities for dialogue on issues of racial and social justice.

Public Programs like “Voices of Mississippi” and the annual Margaret Walker Distinguished Lecture bring scholars, artists, and cultural figures to JSU, where they can engage with students and the public. The center also offers workshops and internship opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in public history or archives.

One of the key initiatives of the Margaret Walker Center is to make the history of Mississippi's African American community more accessible and understandable to younger generations. Through exhibitions on topics like the Civil Rights Movement, Blues music, and Black feminist activism, the MWC helps students to make connections between historical events and contemporary challenges.

Property HBCU Grant Recipients in the National Register of Historic Places - National Register of Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service)