Learn all about Gallaudet University, founded in 1864, the only university for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind students. Explore the history of our campus nestled in the heart of Washington DC!
LessThis iconic statue of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Alice Cogswell was sculpted by Daniel Chester French, who also sculpted the statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial.
The crown jewel of the historic buildings on campus, Chapel Hall, with its majestic Tower Clock, beams with Bison pride at the front of the campus. The home of the iconic coffin door, this building stands out as the defining landmark on campus.
The Gallaudet National Deaf Life Museum, nestled inside Chapel Hall, documents and exhibits the rich history of the deaf community and the evolution of Gallaudet, along with artifacts from the Gallaudet University Archives on display.
This picturesque residence of the University president and their family, commonly known as House One, mirrors the striking Gothic architecture of other historic buildings on campus.
This small historic house used to monitor entrances through the second entrance on Florida Avenue. The entrance is now closed, and the Gate House now houses the National Deaf Life Museum office.
A knoll of a grassy field in front of Faculty Row, the view from Olmsted Green captures the beautiful architecture of House One, College Hall, and Chapel Hall. Named for Frederick Law Olmsted, this green space pays homage to the landscape architect who designed the campus and the iconic Central Park in New York City.
This historic house is named after Melville Ballard, one of the first graduates of Gallaudet University. This building currently houses the offices for Gallaudet Interpreting Service (GIS).
This historic house on "Faculty Row" is named after Edward Allen Fay, a former professor at Gallaudet and a pioneer in the genealogical study.
A historic house named after James Denison, a deaf teacher and principal for Kendall School, this house is also known as "House Four," situated at the north end of "Faculty Row." Today, the building houses ten students and faculty-in-residence.
This building houses the Transportation Department and Pigmental Studios, an animation and story building company that partnered with Gallaudet to provide courses for students with emerging interests in animation.
This multi-level parking garage is open to the public located at the 6th Street gate near Faculty Row.
The Kellogg Conference Center is a fully operating hotel on campus that houses banquet rooms, an auditorium, and Counseling and Psychological Services offices. This hotel also displays a memorial plaque commemorating the former site of the Kendall Division II School for Negroes, and the victory of the Miller family's case to enroll their Black deaf son in a segregated school, preceding the historic Brown vs. Board of Education case.
Affectionately known as the Ole Jim, the Peikoff Alumni House was originally the campus's first gymnasium and now houses the Office of Alumni Relations. The old basketball court still exists on the second floor and is often used for formal events.
This multimedia facility designed with Deaf Space principles in mind serves as the gateway to Gallaudet University's campus for visitors and prospective students, highlighting the university's extensive offerings and technological advancements.
This Historic High Victorian Gothic building was designed by Frederick Withers and houses the Office of the President and other administrative offices such as the Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
These wide swaths of grass in the heart of the campus are where students play games, catch some sun, study, and enjoy their natural, picturesque surroundings.
This residence hall is named after Elizabeth Peet, a prominent professor in Gallaudet history, and houses the Gallaudet University Press, Gallaudet Interpreting Services, and Youth Programs.
The Washburn Art Center, named after Cadwallader Washburn, houses the Art Department and the Linda K. Jordan Gallery, which exhibits Deaf artists and student work regularly.
This building integrates Deaf Space principles in its modular labs and open meeting space. The building also houses undergraduate and graduate students in its modern dormitories.
The go-to spot for information and resources, the Library houses thousands of books, videos, and content, as well as extensive archives, computer Labs, classrooms, and the office for Gallaudet Technology Services. Students can also request materials from the consortium library network, spanning 13 institutions across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
This building, named after the first Deaf president of Gallaudet University, is the hub of all community activity, with classrooms, offices, study spaces, a gift shop, arcade room, post office, and marketplace grab food and drinks.
One of the two campus auditoriums is named after Andrew J. Foster, the first Black Deaf man to graduate from Gallaudet University, and is used for community performances and events.
A bust of Laurent Clerc, one of America's first deaf teachers, donated by the Gallaudet University Alumni Association in 1974.
This historic building is named after Sophia Fowler and houses offices and classrooms. Sophia was the first deaf matron and the deaf mother of Edward Miner Gallaudet, the first president of Gallaudet University.
This building was designed by Olof Hanson, a deaf American architect who graduated from Gallaudet University. Building 103 currently houses classrooms and offices.
Kendall Hall is a decorative historic brick building, the former location of Kendall School, and currently houses Graduate Admissions and various offices.
Ely Center is a multi-level building that houses many offices and student spaces such as the home of the university’s oldest publication, The Buff and Blue, as well as the meeting spaces for Greek organizations.
The home of the Theatre Arts and Dance program and the epicenter for major campus events, Elstad Auditorium, can house hundreds of spectators for performances, speeches, competitions, and much more!
This unpainted 500-pound sculpture of a Bison, sculpted by Ben Williams, is made of Cor-Ten steel and was allowed to rust. The sculpture was purchased and moved onto campus by former Gallaudet president Jerry C. Lee and mounted outside of the Gallaudet University Field House during his term.
The Field House is the home of Gallaudet's robust Athletics program and Physical Education and Rehabilitation department. Outfitted with state-of-the-art gym equipment and an indoor pool, the Field House is the spot to get fit!
This athletic field is where home games are hosted, and is named after John B. Hotchkiss, the first coach of the Gallaudet University football team.
With wide-open space and contemporary finishes, this office and classroom building is the home of the Deaf Studies, ASL, Linguistics, and Hearing, Speech, and Language Sciences departments. This building also houses the Technology Access Program, the Drs. John S. and Betty J. Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center and research labs Visual Language and Visual Learning Lab, Pettito Brain and Language Laboratory for Neuroimaging, and the Motion Light Lab.
This abstract statue sits between the Hall Memorial Building (HMB) and the Merrill Learning Center.
This academic building is named after Percival Hall, Gallaudet University's second president, and houses most academic departments and state-of-the-art laboratories and science classrooms, boasting Deaf Space principles.
Gallaudet University's baseball field is named after William Ellsworth "Dummy" Hoy, a deaf baseball player credited with inventing the foundational baseball gestures such as "strike" and "out."
This residence hall is named after former Dean and CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Elizabeth Benson and houses students under 21, specifically first-year and transfer students.
This residence hall building is named after Laurent Clerc, a deaf educator from France who is credited with the emergence of deaf education and American Sign Language in America and houses students of all classes except for first-year students.
This residence hall is named after prominent Deaf artist and author John Carlin and mainly houses graduate students as well as undergraduate students in their second year or above.
In the center of the Hanson Plaza deck, this community garden boasts colorful designs and varied plants, including fruits and vegetables, for the community to enjoy.
This dining center is where all students gather to enjoy a meal, socialize, and catch up on community events and happenings.
This residence hall- currently not in operation- was used for housing Model Secondary High School students and formerly was used for housing Gallaudet University students.
This residence hall has the best view of Hanson Plaza, where the Capitol Building dome is visible in the distance.
This health facility provides support and care to students for their medical and health needs.
This educational program on campus opened in 1957 as the Columbia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Instruction. They changed the school structure and school name in 1970. Today, the day program serves deaf and hard of hearing students from birth through grade 8.
This office is the nation's leading resource center for Deaf education and oversees Kendall Department of Education Services (KDES), family educational services, and Model Secondary School for the Deaf. This building also houses residential apartments.
This federally funded high school enrolls deaf students from across the country and boasts a new residence hall building, full gymnasium, library, and Theatre Malz, named after long-time teacher and theatre director Eric Malzkuhn.
This co-ed residence hall consists of residence hall spaces for high school deaf and hard of hearing students from across the country.
This athletic facility sports a swimming pool and a gymnasium for MSSD/GU athletic and leisure activities.
One of three sporting fields on campus, this athletic field is where sporting events are held for MSSD students.
MSSD Housing consists of residential apartments for administrators, families, and others on campus.
This building houses the offices that support the utilities and maintenance for the campus.