Historic Academic Hall in Davidson, NC, 1841-1849

This vintage photograph captures a significant building located in Davidson, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Constructed between 1841 and 1849, the structure showcases handmade brickwork, featuring prominent columns and pilasters, with stucco applied to the brick façade. This architectural style exemplifies the craftsmanship of the period and highlights the historical importance of the site.

Notably, this building served as an academic hall where Woodrow Wilson was a student, graduating in the class of 1877. He notably participated in his first debate in this hall in 1873, marking a pivotal moment in his early education. The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which documents significant architectural works in the region.

The photograph, credited to Frances Benjamin Johnston, was included in the publication The Early Architecture of North Carolina by Thomas Tileston Waterman in 1941. It stands as a valuable artifact for those interested in American history, architecture, and education.