The university is one of the oldest nonsectarian historically black colleges or universities in the United States. It was created after the Civil War when the Freedman’s Bureau was expanding educational opportunities for recently freed slaves and was officially chartered by Congress in 1867. Throughout its history, the university has produced many leaders in social justice, politics and the arts. Thurgood Marshall, the first black supreme court justice and a major leader of desegregated schools attended the School of Law, while Stokely Carmichael started his activist career here in the early 1960’s. A number of popular entertainers have also attended the school over the years.
Besides its rich history and roster of famous alumni, a great reason to visit this D.C. area school is to walk around its beautiful campus. When taking a tour, be sure to check out the Founder’s Library. Positioned on a hill overlooking the city, Founder’s Library stands as a symbol of the university’s mission to provide equitable higher education to people of all races and ethnicities. There is also the Frederick Douglass Memorial Hall, a beautiful pillared structure dedicated to the social reformer who served as a trustee.
WHUT is the school’s television and radio station, known for its famous blue and white sign. WHUT reaches more than 500,000 residents in the D.C. area and is a center for local programming. The university has a great location, and many destinations in the D.C. area are accessible by public transportation. With so many monuments, museums and landmarks within reach, it is worth taking some extra time to enjoy everything “The District” has to offer. For a full list of nearby attractions and activities, consult our list of Choice Hotels in Washington, D.C. Hotels in the area can make your stay in D.C. a memorable one. For an excellent combination of convenience and affordability, stay with Choice Hotels near Howard University.