Construction began in 1911, and was completed in 1912.State Black Archives The funds were a gift from the Robert R. McCormick family.

It was vacant until 1990, when the building was restored and taken over by the State Black Archives Research Center and Museum, which was established in 1987.

Above the lobby is a two-story pedimented portico, supported by four Ionic columns, with a third-floor balcony.

On either side of the main block, set back from the portico, are 2 four-bay, two-story wings.

This article about a property in Alabama on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub.