Howard University launches investigation after TikTokers broke into the HBCU's former Divinity School building, which houses priceless art and historical books

A group of TikTokers in Washington D.C. broke into the former location of Howard University's School of Divinity and appeared to uncover a wealth of treasures inside including abandoned books and statues from deep within the archives.

Benjamin E. Mays Hall housed the department from 1987 until 2015, but when staff moved to a new building on campus, rather than remove everything from inside they simply boarded up the structure with plywood leaving the place to rack and ruin.

It made for an all-too-tempting trawl through the archives as the group posted their actions to social media.  

In the video, the group can be seen rummaging through Mays Hall, running through its library, flipping through books and files, and even setting off a fire extinguisher while inside.

A group of TikTokers broke into the former site of Howard University's School of Divinity, Benjamin E. Mays Hall uncovering a wealth of treasures as they did so

The School of Divinity relocated in 2015 leaving valuable materials behind

Intricate glass windows and frescos could be seen on the building's exterior

In 2015, the School of Divinity relocated from Mays Hall, pictured, on the University's East Campus to a new home at the University's West Campus in Washington D.C.

The creator of the TikTok admitted how the group initially had trouble breaking into the building with the doors and windows having been boarded up, but the group persisted and was able to force their way inside through a mechanical room.

Aside from hundreds of books, some of which date back to the 1860s and earlier, the building also appeared to be something of a time capsule as the group revealed forgotten computers and telephones from the 1980s and 90s .

In 2015, the School of Divinity relocated from Mays Hall on the University's East Campus to a new home at the University's West Campus.

At the time, all of the necessary educational content needed for to maintain the school's degree course was transferred to the school's new location including priceless works of art, administrative files, and other archival materials. 

But due to the limited amount of space at the school's new site, the remainder of the school's possessions continued to be stored at Mays Hall.

When staff moved to a new building on campus, rather than remove everything from inside they simply boarded up the structure with plywood.

The group filmed their actions as they explored the abandoned building

The group discovered a broken statue simply lying around on the floor  

Abandoned books from the archives were found in a 'creepy library'

Row upon row of books could be seen in what would have been the school's library

The building was something of a time capsule revealing computers and telephones from the 80s and 90s

The group appeared to have a lot of fun generating clouds with a dry ice fire extinguisher

There also looked to be space for students to have slept within the school 

The school did not appear to be impressed by the TikTokers' actions which they described as plain and simple trespassing.

'Despite the University's efforts to remove historically relevant materials from the site in 2015, the actions of those who trespassed and broke into Mays Hall remind us how some are willing to violate the sacred boundaries of our beloved Historically Black Colleges and Universities campuses and threaten to embolden others with similar actions,' the establishment said.

The university say that following the incident, Howard University's Department of Public Safety will increase their security patrols of the site while a full reassessment will take place regarding the contents of the building, securing it from unlawful access. 

A grand piano also appeared to be in fine working order in the school's abandoned chapel

After spending some time inside, the group decided to venture up to and into the bell tower

The TikTokers even run the bell - no doubt alerting those nearby to their presence 

In a lengthy letter the university accused the TikTokers of trespassing 

'While DPS continues to investigate, we want to make it abundantly clear that the University condemns the unlawful entry of this group of misinformed individuals,' Dean Rev. Kenyatta Gilbert wrote in a statement.

'The University is taking the necessary steps to ensure the School of Divinity's most precious archival materials are in safekeeping. 

'We take this incident of trespassing very seriously and the Howard University Department of Public Safety (DPS) has already begun investigating the matter,' Rev. Gilbert said.