WashU Downtown

Collaborators are revisiting the history of Washington University's original downtown campus and community footprint (1853-1905), including how the early institution contributed to the development of St. Louis' educational, health, housing, civic and other infrastructure. A better accounting of WashU's relationship to the development of the city, culturally and institutionally, will inform contemporary efforts to contribute positively to our community.

Pictured: Washington University Building at 17th St. and Washington Ave., completed and occupied in September 1856 (Courtesy of Washington University Archives).