The Alumni House at Virginia State University, known as Azurest South, was recently named a National Historic Landmark. Azurest South, along with 18 landmarks, has been recognized for its historical and architectural significance by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.
“This is a proud moment for Virginia State University and one of its most cherished landmarks,” said Franklin Johnson-Norwood, VSU’s executive director of alumni engagement and advancement services. “This designation underscores Azurest South’s enduring significance in American architectural history.”
Azurest South was built by Virginia State alumna Amaza Lee Meredith in 1939. The house was one of the most inventive home designs of its time. Meredith was one of the first African American women architects to be documented. She later founded the Fine Arts Department at Virginia State. Prior to her passing in 1984, Meredith lived in the house with her partner, Dr. Edna Meade Colson.
The university converted the building into the official Alumni House in 1986. Meredith had a long-term goal of creating a space for alumni to gather on campus. Azurest South’s National Historic Landmark designation recognizes it as a property of outstanding importance that captures the cultural heritage of the United States. In addition to highlighting important technological, landscape, and creative developments in American history, the recently named NHLs also highlight the noteworthy achievements of a number of groups, including women, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, African Americans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
To help preserve this priceless property, Virginia State was awarded a $150,000 grant in 2024 to conserve Azurest South. The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation provided the funds. The goal of this competitive program is to save and conserve African American cultural assets and historic locations. Azurest South is well-positioned to serve as a reminder to future generations of its historical significance thanks to this award.
