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The George
Washington University and
Its Treasured Foggy Bottom Locale
President Thomas Jefferson’s original site of choice for the
Capitol building, the streets of Foggy Bottom have witnessed the
passage of time with great transition. The George Washington University
has carefully maintained steady progress in its academic achievements
and offerings, all the while being mindful of its surroundings and
the streets that now comprise its home.
In 1912, faced with the need to reorganize and relocate, The George
Washington University, under the leadership of President Charles
H. Stockton, sold its building at 15th and H Streets and moved to
inexpensive rental property at 2023 G Street, NW. Only the School
of Medicine remained behind.
GW had arrived in Foggy Bottom.
Increases in enrollment after the first World War created a need
for additional space. President William Mather Lewis implemented
“The Harris Plan,” which consisted of a continuous block
of Georgian Revival style buildings. Thus began the construction
of Corcoran Hall in 1923 and Stockton Hall in 1926. President Cloyd
Heck Marvin favored functional architecture and more modern buildings,
as evidenced by Lisner Hall, Stuart Hall, and Bell Hall. The Hattie
M. Strong Residence Hall for Women was the only building constructed
during the Marvin years that returned to the original Georgian Revival
style. Since Strong Hall was to be a residence hall, it was decided
that the building should more closely resemble the homes in the
area.
The 1960s represented a decade of important change for Foggy Bottom.
With Washington Gas Light Company having been completely dismantled
by 1954, the area experienced a wave of gentrification that made
Foggy Bottom a middle-income. Public projects dramatically changed
the face of the landscape in that decade, including the Roosevelt
Bridge and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
During the tenure of President Lloyd Elliott (1965–1988), libraries
took a front seat in University growth in Foggy Bottom. Considered
by Elliott to be the backbone of any campus, three libraries were
built during his term of office: the Melvin Gelman Library, the
Jacob Burns Law Library, and the Paul Himmelfarb Health Sciences
Library. President Elliott also authorized the construction of the
Marvin Center as a hub for student activities, the Charles E. Smith
Athletic Center (replacing the old “Tin Tabernacle”),
the Academic Center, Funger Hall, the Law School’s Theodore
N. Lerner Hall, and the Ambulatory Care Center.
In 1973, the School of Medicine and Health Sciences moved from 13th
and H Streets to Ross Hall, marking the first time since 1912 that
The George Washington University was wholly located in one area.
Foggy Bottom was now home to GW in its entirety.
Under the leadership of Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, the University
has undertaken the task of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.
Projects have included renovations of academic, administrative,
athletic, and social spaces. New projects include New Hall residence
hall at 2350 H Street, the Annette and Theodore Lerner Family Health
and Wellness Center at 2301 G Street, the Media and Public Affairs
Building at 805 21st Street, renovation of the Marvin Center, expansion
of the Law School, and a new mixed-use building at 1957 E Street.
The University continues to grow into its home, ever-conscious of
the need to preserve green space and develop gathering places for
the use of its students, faculty, staff, and neighbors.
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