Location Information
(for the Harrison Hall)
Name:Harrison Hall
Address:Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
City/County:Perkinston, Stone County
Architectural Information
Construction Date:1936-37
No. of Stories:2
Mississippi Landmark Information
Designated:10-09-2003
Recorded:12-18-2003
Book/Vol. No.:V. 201, p. 147-149
Context/Comments
Designed by architect Vinson B. Smith Jr. and built in 1936-37 with funding assistance from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Public Works Administration (PWA), Harrison Hall is the most intact older building on the MGCCC campus.
Brief Description
Two-story academic building designed in the Colonial Revival idiom. E-shaped plan. Brick veneer siding. Hipped-roof with asphalt shingles has eyebrow dormers with louvered vents. Original body of building dates to 1936-197, but a rear addition was added in 2015-2018.

Main facade faces north and is thirteen bays in the following pattern of fenestration (WW-D-WW-WW-WW-WDW-WW-WW-W-WW-D-WW). The central three bays project slightly from the main facade, and are topped by a pediment. Windows are 6x6 wood DHS in singles and pairs. Paired windows have rowlock windows with concrete jackarches. All windows have concrete sills. All doors have nine-lights over single panels. The doors in the flanking wings are slightly recessed and have a door surround topped with a dentil course. The man entry in the central bay consists of a projecting semi-circle portico with flat-roof decorated by consoles Porch is supported by Doric columns clad in stucco on concrete pedestals. Behind this is a paired entry flanked by three-light sidelights, and a ten-light transom above. Above, on the second story, fenestration is as follows: (WW-W-WW-WW-WW-WW-WW-WW-WW-WW-WW-WW-W-WW).

East and west elevations have the following fenestration (WW-WW-WW-W-WW-WW-WW). The last four bays are stepped slightly back from the main body of the building.

2015 ADDITION: Also brick veneer with concrete water table. Topped with hipped-roof clad in asphalt shingles. The south (rear) elevation has a tripartite window. Each window has fixed sidelight in vinyl frames. Cast concrete surround supported by pilasters. Near the corners are single two-panel doors with fixed light transoms above. The sides (east and west elevations) of the addition feature three evenly spaced fixed light vinyl windows. The windows are 2x2 and have concrete sills, lintels & jackarches. The west side has a recessed entry. Metal door flanked by large light with transom and sidelights.
Historic Information
Harrison Hall was originally constructed as a women’s dormitory and intended to house 110 women. At the time of its construction it was the largest building on campus. It was built with funding provided by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), Public Works Administration (PWA) and bonds issued in Harrison and Stone County. It is possible that the former dormitory was named after Harrison County or Pat Harrison, the congressman responsible for obtaining the WPA and PWA funding for the halls construction.

The building was renovated in 1974 and was used as a women’s dormitory until 1979 when Andrews Hall was completed. Three years later Harrison Hall was utilized as a men’s dorm. Harrison Hall was designated a Mississippi Landmark on October 9, 2003.