Old North Building, Washington D.C.

The Old North Building, often referred to simply as Old North, is the oldest surviving academic building on the campus of Georgetown University. Completed in 1795, it stands as a testament to the university's long history and tradition of academic excellence. Built in the Georgian architectural style, Old North was among the most impressive structures in Washington at the time and served as Georgetown's flagship building until the construction of Healy Hall. The building is strategically located, joined to Healy Hall to the east, New North to the west, and enclosing Dahlgren Chapel to the south.

Old North has a rich history of hosting prominent figures and events. Notably, on August 7, 1797, President George Washington delivered a speech from its southern steps to an audience gathered in Dahlgren Quadrangle. This event not only highlights the building's historical significance but also established a tradition for U.S. presidents to visit and speak at Georgetown University. Following Washington, President John Quincy Adams made appearances on these steps, attending commencements in 1825 and 1827, further solidifying Old North's role in the university's ceremonial and public life.

Today, Old North houses the McCourt School of Public Policy, continuing its legacy as a central hub of learning and leadership at Georgetown. The building's elegant Georgian architecture and historical associations contribute to its status as a cultural and educational cornerstone of Georgetown University.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Washington D.C.. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Old North Building
Sight Location: Washington D.C., USA (See walking tours in Washington D.C.)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Georgetown University Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Washington D.C., USA

Create Your Own Walk in Washington D.C.

Creating your own self-guided walk in Washington D.C. is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Georgetown University Walking Tour

Georgetown University, established in 1789, is America's oldest Catholic and Jesuit institution. Spanning four campuses in Washington, DC, its main undergraduate campus in Georgetown features fifty-four buildings across 104 acres.

With its Gothic and Georgian architecture, serene green spaces, and Jesuit traditions, the university promotes academic excellence and global engagement. For... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

DC Monuments and Memorials Walking Tour

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years," goes the famous quote by Abraham Lincoln.

Indeed, those remembered in Washington, D.C. 鈥� the renowned statesmen, politicians, fallen soldiers, and other distinguished persons 鈥� had their years filled with life to the brim. What they left behind is a great legacy manifested in historic... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

Georgetown Walking Tour

Georgetown is a historic neighborhood situated in the northwest quadrant of Washington, DC. Despite its proximity to downtown, this former port area has preserved much of its distinct character. In Georgetown, "old-world charm meets modern allure," they say. Those poetically inclined tend to compare it to "a tapestry of cobblestone dreams and timeless grace."

The... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

Arlington National Cemetery Tour

"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example," a distinguished politician of the 19th century said once.

The historic military necropolis 鈥� the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia 鈥� is the final resting place for many of America's heroes, whose willingness to sacrifice for their country has earned them the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Washington D.C. Introduction Walking Tour

Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia or simply The District, is the capital of the United States and, in many senses, America鈥檚 front yard. After the American Revolution, the need for the newly independent nation's federal government to have authority over a capital city and not rely on any state for its maintenance and safety, came in the wake of the Pennsylvania Mutiny of... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.2 Km or 3.2 Miles

Federal Buildings Walking Tour

The capital of the United States is home to several notable federal buildings that hold significant historical, architectural, and governmental value.

Among the stately 鈥渆mblems of authority鈥� in Washington D.C. perhaps the most prominent is the official residence and workplace of the President of the United States 鈥� The White House. This resplendent mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles

View all walking tours in Washington D.C., USA

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

10 Unusual Things to Do in Washington DC

You might be inclined to think that the capital of the United States consists solely of museums and monuments, but that couldn鈥檛 be further from the truth. As a local, I鈥檝e found that there are so many more things to do in this city than just the main tourist highlights. Read on to learn 10 of...

Traveler's Guide to Washington DC: 16 Souvenirs to Bring Home

The capital of the United States is an attraction in its own right and many things that have originated here or in the nearby areas are of great cultural and historic significance. To decide which of them can make for an ideal souvenir for you to bring home, check out the proposed list of local...

10 Chocolate Destinations in Washington D.C.

Let鈥檚 be honest, you hear the words "Washington, D.C." and you think politics, history, museums, etc. You can鈥檛 take five steps in the city without being surrounded by history. As important as all that culture is, it鈥檚 also a bit overwhelming. Make it fun by exploring Washington,...