Old North

Old North is a building on the campus of Georgetown University, located to the west of Healy Hall and forming a right angle with Healy's northern end. Built in 1795, it is the oldest academic building on campus. It was constructed at a cost of $123,230 and comprises 28,666 square feet. On the northern side of the Quadrangle, it originally stood opposite Old South, which was built in 1788 but demolished in 1904 to be replaced by Ryan Hall.1 

Construction and Architecture

The land for Old North was purchased in 1792 and it status was listed as "nearing completion" in 1795,2 although it was not finished until 1809.3 In that year, University president William Matthews, S.J., and faculty completed the construction themselves after receiving an anonymous gift of $400.4 

The building's architecture is Georgian in style (although one source says it was modeled after "a chateau in France"5) and was built on a heavy stone foundation. It features a red brick facade that originally stood three and a half stories on the south end and four stories on the north. Inside, double doors with stained glass windows led to the central reception parlor in which notable people were received, most famously George Washington. The first floor's west end housed the University's library until Riggs Library was built in 1891. The Rector's Office, a museum, a student chapel, and an auditorium were also housed here. The second and third floors housed some student rooms, with prefect's rooms at the north end of each hallway.6 It first housed students in 1797, when 59 boarders moved in. Prior to that, only William Gaston had actually lived at the College while other students boarded with families in the surrounding neighborhood.7

The two octagonal towers on the north side were added between 1808 and 1810 to buttress that side of the building against a ravine. These towers were raised about 30 feet in 1866 to provide better ventilation and cooling to the building. Also at that time, each was ornamented with a pointed slate roof and a golden cross. The west tower has been struck by lightning twice, in 1831 and 1890, although it was not damaged.8

Additions and Changes

In 1872, the printing equipment for the Georgetown College Journal was located in the basement of Old North.9 

In the 1890s, the Quadrangle was regraded to allow for the building of Dahlgren Chapel. This lowered the ground level by about four feet, making the entrance of Old North higher above grade and necessitating the construction of the porch. Although legend holds that George Washington addressed the student body from the porch, the date of its construction almost 100 years after he visited renders that impossible.10 

In 1899 Mrs. Beauchamp Hughes presented the University with a collection of books, paintings, and artifacts she had accumulated over years of travel in Europe. She spent about $1,500 to convert the parlor of Old North into a room to house this collection and left the University $5,000 to preserve it in perpetuity.11 

In 1907, Brother Golden, S.J., added the Archive Hall.

Two fires have severely damaged the building: in 1909 the postgraduate library was completely destroyed along with its valuable rare books and Brazilian mahogany shelves and in 1921 the entire interior of the building had to be remodeled after another fire. 

Renovations

In 1926, when New North was built and connected to Old North, the George A. Fuller Company completed a major renovation to Old North. During the 1960s and 1970s, the building housed two dormitory halls, the Army ROTC offices, classrooms, the Hoya Post Office, and the Addressograph Facility. In 1982-83 the building was completely renovated inside at a cost of over $6.2 million and was converted for use by the School of Business. At this time an elevator, fire stair, central air conditioning, and a stairway on the north side were added.12 

Important Events

Old North has historically been an important gathering space for Georgetown students, especially for formal and religious events, considering its location near Dahlgren Chapel. Shortly after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, students gathered in front of Old North to mourn the loss of the nation's president. The mass was said by John F. Devine, S.J., Director of the Student Personnel Office, from the porch of the Old North Building.

Beginning with George Washington, many U.S. presidents and diplomats have been received at Old North. after extensive renovation to house the School of Business Administration in 1981, former President Gerald Ford participated in the building's rededication ceremony.   

On January 18, 1993, President-elect Bill Clinton (SFS' 1968) visited campus and addressed the Diplomatic Corps from the steps of Old North.

On June 25, 2013, President Barack Obama presented methods of tackling climate change from the steps of Old North. He marked the 14th U.S. president to have presented from the Old North steps.13

• 1Francis X. Ballman, "Old North," Building Outlines Campus Buildings, 1789 – 1995, Father Lawrence Hurley Memorial Edition, Francis X. Ballmann and the Division of Facilities, 1995, pp. 83 - 84.
• 2James S. Easby-Smith, Georgetown University in the District of Columbia, 1789-1907, its founders, benefactors, officers, instructors and alumni. Vol. 1, New York: Lewis, 1907, p. 38. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433076015878?urlappend=%3Bseq=54
• 3Francis X. Ballman, "Old North," Building Outlines Campus Buildings, 1789 – 1995, Father Lawrence Hurley Memorial Edition, Francis X. Ballmann and the Division of Facilities, 1995, pp. 83 - 84.
• 4"Old North at Georgetown University, as viewed from the south side," Georgetown University Archives. http://hdl.handle.net/10822/551449
• 5James S. Easby-Smith, Georgetown University in the District of Columbia, 1789-1907, its founders, benefactors, officers, instructors and alumni. Vol. 1, New York: Lewis, 1907, pp. 36 - 37. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433076015878?urlappend=%3Bseq=53
• 6Francis X. Ballman, "Old North," Building Outlines Campus Buildings, 1789 – 1995, Father Lawrence Hurley Memorial Edition, Francis X. Ballmann and the Division of Facilities, 1995, pp. 83 - 84.
• 7James S. Easby-Smith, Georgetown University in the District of Columbia, 1789-1907, its founders, benefactors, officers, instructors and alumni. Vol. 1, New York: Lewis, 1907, p. 37. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433076015878?urlappend=%3Bseq=53
• 8Francis X. Ballman, "Old North," Building Outlines Campus Buildings, 1789 – 1995, Father Lawrence Hurley Memorial Edition, Francis X. Ballmann and the Division of Facilities, 1995, pp. 83 - 84.
• 9James S. Easby-Smith, Georgetown University in the District of Columbia, 1789-1907, its founders, benefactors, officers, instructors and alumni. Vol. 1, New York: Lewis, 1907, p. 294. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433076015878?urlappend=%3Bseq=310
• 10Francis X. Ballman, "Old North," Building Outlines Campus Buildings, 1789 – 1995, Father Lawrence Hurley Memorial Edition, Francis X. Ballmann and the Division of Facilities, 1995, pp. 83 - 84.
• 11James S. Easby-Smith, Georgetown University in the District of Columbia, 1789-1907, its founders, benefactors, officers, instructors and alumni. Vol. 1, New York: Lewis, 1907, p. 215. https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433076015878?urlappend=%3Bseq=231
• 12Francis X. Ballman, "Old North," Building Outlines Campus Buildings, 1789 – 1995, Father Lawrence Hurley Memorial Edition, Francis X. Ballmann and the Division of Facilities, 1995, pp. 83 - 84.
• 13"Obama Makes Major Climate Change Speech on Historic Old North Steps." Georgetown University, June 25, 2013. https://test-hoyapedia.pantheonsite.io/carroll-building-old-south.