A historic residence at Lincoln University underwent a comprehensive renovation to preserve its past while supporting modern campus life.

Philadelphia-based Voith & Mactavish Architects, LLP (VMA), completed the exterior and interior rehabilitation of Cresson Hall, a building constructed in 1856 on the university’s 422-acre campus in Pennsylvania. The project converted the long-vacant structure into a living-learning center for about 30 student scholars and a new Center for Public History.

Cresson Hall originally served as the university president’s residence. A 1870 expansion more than doubled its size, added a third story, and introduced its distinctive mansard-roofed entrance. The bell tower was extended in 1903.

By 2010, deferred maintenance had taken a major toll. The foundation was failing, masonry had deteriorated, windows were underperforming, and roof leaks had caused extensive interior damage. It remained vacant for more than a decade.

Lincoln University launched the rehabilitation in 2021 with the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS). The team sought to restore the building’s historic character while adapting it for contemporary academic use.

Flexible layout

The first floor now houses the Center for Public History, with offices, flexible workspaces, and a multipurpose gallery and presentation area for up to 80 people. The upper two floors provide student housing for participants in the Cresson Scholars Focus Group.

The rehabilitation also provided an opportunity to improve energy performance. The project includes historically accurate replacement windows, exterior-wall insulation, a new slate roof, and a high-performance mechanical system connected to a geothermal loop. The upgrades are projected to cut energy use by 68 percent, exceeding comparable code requirements by more than 50 percent.

The team removed a 1950s stairwell addition to reconstruct the original bell tower and primary entry. New circulation elements include an elevator, two porches, and accessible connections to adjacent Vail Hall, the Student Union, and other campus destinations.