Introduction
Thank you for joining us on the Walking Through Northwestern History tour! Your guides are Kevin Leonard, University Historian, and Charla Wilson, Curator for the Black Experience. As you explore the campus over the next hour, you will hear stories and facts about Northwestern’s history, traditions, and architecture. Either engage with the tour on-site as a self-guided tour or listen to the audio from anywhere!
Your Guides
Kevin Leonard
University Historian
Kevin Leonard
Charla Wilson
Curator for the Black Experience
Charla Wilson
Printable Brochure
Old Oak
Old Oak
Shakespeare Garden
Shakespeare Garden
Audio
Stop 1: The Weber Arch
The Weber Arch
Run Time: 1:38 Minutes
Related Resources
Stop 2: University Hall
University Hall
Run Time: 2:07 Minutes
Related Resources
- Northwestern Architecture, online exhibit
- University Archives Postcards
- Alexander Hesler Photograph Collection
University Hall, 1869, Alexander Hesler Photograph Collection, Northwestern University Archives
Stop 3: The Rock
The Rock
Run Time: 2:59 Minutes
Related Resources
- The Rock Records and Artifacts
- “How the Rock ended up in Deering: A Look into Northwestern’s Archives,” video by Linus Hoeller
- The Rock with a Peel, Northwestern Magazine, Spring 2010
- Northwestern Rock Webcam
Stop 4: Fisk Hall
Fisk Hall
Run Time: 1:25 minutes
Related Resources
Fisk Hall Exterior, circa 1890s, Northwestern University Archives
Stop 5: The Lakefill
The Lakefill
Run Time: 5:02 Minutes
An image of the area prior to the construction
An image of the area after the construction
Stop 6: Technological Institute
Technological Institute
Run Time: 3:39 Minutes
Related Resource
- Chemistry at Northwestern, online exhibit
Stop 7: Technological Institute (Project Survival)
Technological Institute (Project Survival)
Run Time: 3:24 Minutes
Related Resources
- Up All Night with a Sick Environment: Project Survival and its Legacy, digital exhibit, by Ben Taylor
- Northwestern Students for a Better Environment
Stop 8: Deering Meadow and Deering Library
Deering Meadow and Deering Library
Run Time: 1:58 Minutes
Related Resources
- Deering Library: An Illustrated History
- “Building Architecture,” Northwestern Libraries
- Deering Library Artwork, Northwestern Libraries
- “Northwestern’s May Celebrations,” online exhibit
- Walter Netsch, online exhibit
Stop 9: Deering Meadow (1970 Vietnam War Protest)
Deering Meadow (1970 Vietnam War Protest)
Run Time: 6:55 Minutes
Related Resources
- Anti-Vietnam War Strike Materials
- Student Protest and Strikes at Northwestern University
- “Strike,” video
- Jim Roberts Photographs, 1968-1972
Stop 10: Annie May Swift Hall
Annie May Swift Hall
Run Time: 1:50 Minutes
Related Resources
- “NU Theatre and the University Archives,” research guide
Stop 11: Kresge Centennial Hall (1995 Hunger Strike for Asian American Studies)
Kresge Centennial Hall (1995 Hunger Strike for Asian American Studies)
Run Time: 5:55 Minutes
Related Resource
Stop 12: Conclusion
Run Time: 0:26 Seconds
Stop 13: Bonus Stop (Coeducation)
Coeducation
Run Time: 2:57 Minutes
Related Resources
- Women at Northwestern, research guide
- Frances Willard: Radical Woman in a Classic Town, online exhibit
Contact Us
For more information about Northwestern history and collections, please contact the McCormick Library of Special Collections and University Archives, specialcollections@northwestern.edu.
Check out these other campus tours: