Healy Hall

Healy Hall is a university building in Gothic Revival style at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., with a clock tower rising 334 feet (102 meters) above the Potomac bluff. The front facade uses dark Potomac gneiss stone, while the rear elevations are built in red brick.

Construction started in 1877 under architects John L. Smithmeyer and Paul J. Pelz, who went on to design the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building. The completion marked a turning point for the institution, which evolved from a small college to a nationally recognized university.

The name honors Patrick Francis Healy, who became the first African American to earn a doctorate in the United States and later led the university. His vision of modernizing higher education shows in the deliberate choice to face the city, breaking with the earlier waterfront orientation.

The tower offers a clear landmark for navigating the campus and remains visible from many points across the city. Inside, you will find administrative offices, the Riggs Library with cast iron details, and Gaston Hall used for lectures and ceremonies.

The Jesuits exhausted their funds during construction and reduced food rations to complete the project. The clock tower is occasionally illuminated when the university basketball team wins important games.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1877

Architects: John L. Smithmeyer, Paul J. Pelz

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

GPS coordinates: 38.90728,-77.07272

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26