Nationality Rooms

The Nationality Rooms are a collection of 31 classrooms inside the Cathedral of Learning, the tallest university building in the United States. Each space features furniture, windows, and wall panels either imported from the respective country or recreated using historical models.

The idea began in 1926 when the university chancellor proposed honoring immigrant groups through designed classrooms. The first set opened in the 1930s, with additional rooms added over the following decades so that more than three dozen nations are now represented.

The names reflect ethnic communities who arrived in the region during the 19th and early 20th centuries, with each room capturing a distinct artistic period or style. Visitors notice carved woodwork, wall paintings, and tiles crafted using traditional techniques that create the impression of stepping into another country.

Most spaces are used for lectures, so visitors can only enter them during guided tours or between class sessions. Two halls remain behind glass and can be viewed from outside at any time without going inside.

The range extends from African heritage to Yugoslav traditions, forming the largest group of culturally designed teaching spaces in North America. Some elements were crafted on site by artisans from the countries of origin, so visitors see authentic building techniques and ornaments from several centuries side by side.