Founders Library, Washington D.C.

Name: Founders Library
Address: Washington D.C., United States

#461 among attractions in Washington D.C.

Library

Gallery (1)

Map

Map

Facts and practical information

The Founders Library in Washington, D.C. is the main library at Howard University. The building, named The Founders Library in honor of the 17 men who founded Howard University, serves as the iconic symbol of the university. Designed by architect Albert Irvin Cassell, construction began in 1937 during the presidency of Mordecai Wyatt Johnson. As the second library built for the university, the cornerstone was laid on June 10, 1937, and the building was opened for service on January 3, 1939. Today, the library houses over 1 million volumes, the Channing Pollock Theater Collection, and is the home to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. ()

Coordinates: 38°55'20"N, 77°1'11"W

Address

Northwest Washington (Howard University)Washington D.C. United States

ContactAdd

Social media

Add

Washington D.C.

Day trips

Founders Library – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: U Street Music Hall, Bohemian Caverns, 9:30 Club, African American Civil War Memorial.

0.6 miSW
Dancing, Nightlife
U Street Music Hall, Washington D.C.
15 min walk • Nestled in the heart of the nation's capital, U Street Music Hall stands as a beacon for live music and nightlife enthusiasts in Washington D.C. Established in 2010, this subterranean music venue has quickly become a hallowed ground for both emerging and established...
0.5 miSW
Dancing, Nightlife
Bohemian Caverns, Washington D.C.
14 min walk • Bohemian Caverns, once a pulsing heart of jazz in the nation's capital, is a historic jazz club that was located in Washington D.C., United States. Nestled in the U Street corridor, the club was an emblem of the rich cultural tapestry and the vibrant African American...
~1920 ftSW
Dancing, Nightlife
9:30 Club, Washington D.C.
10 min walk • The 9:30 Club is a nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. In 2018, the 9:30 Club was named one of the 10 best live music venues in America by Rolling Stone, and in 2019 the club was named "Venue of the Decade" by VenuesNow.
0.5 miSW
Memorial, History museum, Museum
African American Civil War Memorial, Washington D.C.
14 min walk • The African American Civil War Memorial Museum, in the U Street district of Washington, D.C. recognizes the contributions of the 209,145 members of the United States Colored Troops.
0.4 miS
Church
Florida Avenue Baptist Church, Washington D.C.
12 min walk • Florida Avenue Baptist Church is located at 623 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, DC 20001 in the neighborhood of LeDroit Park near Howard University, and adjacent to the historic Howard Theatre. The Reverend Dr. Earl D. Trent, Jr. currently serves as the church's Senior Pastor.
0.5 miS
Theater, Concerts and shows
Howard Theatre, Washington D.C.
13 min walk • The Howard Theatre is a historic theater, located at 620 T Street, Northwest, Washington, D.C. Opened in 1910, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
~1230 ftNE
Nature, Natural attraction, Lake
McMillan Reservoir, Washington D.C.
6 min walk • The McMillan Reservoir is a reservoir in Washington, D.C. that supplies the majority of the city's municipal water. It was originally called the Howard University Reservoir or the Washington City Reservoir, and was completed in 1902 by the U.S.
~1080 ftSW
Universities and schools
Howard University, Washington D.C.
6 min walk • Howard University is an American private federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
0.6 miW
Colonial revival architecture
Clifton Terrace, Washington D.C.
16 min walk • Clifton Terrace are historic structures located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in the Northwest Quadrant of Washington, D.C. Frank Russell White and Albert Moreland Schneider designed the three building apartment complex in the Colonial Revival style. They were inspired by the garden city movement.
0.4 miE
Monuments and statues
McMillan Fountain, Washington D.C.
10 min walk • The McMillan Fountain is a public artwork by American artist Herbert Adams located on the McMillan Reservoir grounds. The fountain, completed in 1912 and dedicated in October 1919, consists of a sculptural group of the Three Graces placed upon a pink granite base.
~270 ftW
Memorial
Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Washington D.C.
2 min walk • The Yard is one of the main quadrangles on the campus of Howard University in Northwest Washington, DC. The Yard is the principal open space at the northern end of the academic portion of the campus, flanked by nine academic buildings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Founders Library?

Nearby attractions include Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, Washington D.C. (2 min walk), Howard Hall, Washington D.C. (4 min walk), Howard University, Washington D.C. (6 min walk), McMillan Reservoir, Washington D.C. (6 min walk).

How to get to Founders Library by public transport?

The nearest stations to Founders Library:

Metro

U Street • Lines: Gr, Yl (13 min walk)
Shaw–Howard University • Lines: Gr, Yl (16 min walk)