Nathaniel P. Hill was first a student and then a professor of Chemistry at Brown University and created the first laboratories for Brown's Chemistry and Physics Departments. 

He came to Colorado in 1865 and a few years later introduced the first effective process for smelting precious metals from complex sulphide ores. He formed the highly succesful Boston and Colorado Smelter at Blackhawk in 1868. 

At the dedication of Hill Hall, Hill's smelter at Black Hawk was credited with "saving the economy of Colorado during the long lean years of 1873-76."

He served on the first CSM Board of Trustees, from 1874 to 1876, and he was elected U.S. Senator for Colorado in 1888 and led the unsuccessful defense of the "Double Standard" fight to include silver in bimetallic currency.

Hill Hall was built with $1.25 million of state funds, completed in 1958 and named in 1963 to honor Nathaniel P. Hill. It is currently undergoing dramatic renovation and is being expanded from 64,000 square feet to 97,000 square feet at a cost of $23 million.

Mrs. Alexander Barbour of Denver, granddaughter of Senator Hill, and her daughter, Mrs. C.P. Andrews of California, attended the building's dedication. Nathaniel P. Hill, Jr. of New York sent a letter of appreciation and a $ 1,000 check for the Institute of Extractive Metallurgy.