Building in Capitol Square renamed for Civil Rights Leader

Governor Mark R. Warner officially dedicated a newly renovated building in Virginia’s Capitol Square in honor of Oliver W. Hill one of the leading advocates of civil rights who played a role in the historic landmark case of Brown vs. the Board of Education.  Formerly known as the Finance Building, this newly renovated building is the first and only building in Virginia’s Capitol Square to be named for a prominent African American.

Born in 1907, Hill became known as a staunch defender for civil rights.  Hill took on numerous civil rights cases.  He was successful in achieving equal pay for black and white teachers and attaining equal transportation for school children.  He played a pivotal role in desegregation in America with his lawsuit Davis vs. County School Board of Prince Edward County.  This case became one of five cases to be decided under the historic 1954 landmark decision of Brown vs. the Board of Education.

Oliver W. Hill and his family and friends joined Governor Warner, former Governors, members of the NAACP, and several hundred other guests on the front lawn of the Executive Mansion to officially unveil the 100 pound bronze plaque that will be placed on the east side of the building’s exterior.

Built in 1895, this neoclassical building with iconic columns is the third most historic structure in Capitol Square following the Executive Mansion and the Capitol.  It was the first building constructed specifically for state offices and has been described as a symbol of Virginia emerging from the Reconstruction era.  During its history the building housed the Virginia State Library & Archives, Supreme Court of Appeals, the State Treasurer’s Office, and the Museum of Natural History.  It will now serve as offices for the Lieutenant Governor, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Compensation Board.

The building’s renovation project was implemented through the Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA).  The Oliver W. Hill building is the first state-owned building renovated and restored through an approach that restructures the procurement process by establishing a partnership with the private sector.  The conventional approach to a capitol improvement project often can take on average of 24-to-30 months due to the sequencing of events such as hiring an architect, designing the building, bidding for a contractor and then constructing the project.  Through the PPEA, because many tasks occurred simultaneously, the project time for this building was reduced and took about 18 months.

For more information about Capitol Square changes, click here.