Stillman, authorized by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States in 1875, held its first classes of six students in the Fall of 1876 and was chartered as a legal corporation by the State of Alabama in 1895.

At the time, the name was changed from Tuscaloosa Institute to Stillman Institute. The institute was a concept initiated by Dr. Charles Allen Stillman, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa.

Tuscaloosa Institute purchased and built a home at 1008 21st Avenue, now the site of the Stillman Heritage House.

As the institute’s campus expanded, so did its offerings and its student body. An academic department--the beginning of what would develop into a standard high school--had been added in 1893 to supplement the seminary program, and in 1899 Stillman added additional courses and opened its doors to female day students.

Not until 1922, however, would the school become officially co-educational. In that year, a women’s dormitory was erected on campus and named in honor of Hallie Paxon Winsborough, a central figure in the Presbyterian movement to provide training for young black women.

In 1981, the house was restored and the City of Tuscaloosa deeded it to the National Alumni Association of Stillman College, who renovated it in 2009.

Since then, Stillman alums have worked tirelessly to preserve the rich history of Stillman College and the Historic Stillman House. The annual brick campaign brings in much needed funds for the upkeep and maintenance of this living testament to our proud beginnings.

The Historic Stillman House's designation as a historic Alabama landmark in the city of Tuscaloosa is one of many crowning achievements for the Stillman Alumni Preservation Society.