Georgetown University
Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the oldest Jesuit university in the United States. These posts trace its campus history, traditions, and its deep ties to Washington and the Catholic Church.
Three bars in 63 years at one Georgetown address: Shamrock 1952, Winston’s 1972, Rhino Bar 1998. The full arc of 3295 M Street NW before retail took it.
The Tombs, a basement bar at 1226 36th Street NW in Georgetown, was the real inspiration for St. Elmo’s Bar in the 1985 Brat Pack film St. Elmo’s Fire.
The man whose name is over the door at 1264 Wisconsin Avenue was a Boston Braves shortstop in the 1914 World Series before he opened a Georgetown tavern the year Prohibition ended. Four generations later, as of 2026, it is still open, still owned by the same family, and still has a brass plaque on the booth where John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier.
Celebrating Georgetown University’s Class of 2019 and their predecessors from the historic Class of 1925. Take a little inspiration from this lovely photo showing their predecessors graduating in the late spring of 1925.
This is from the Georgetown University archives showing a group of young men gathered in a dorm room in 1913.
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The newest story, plus a few from the archive.
A walk through Holy Rood Cemetery on Wisconsin Avenue in Glover Park, and the stories behind the names, from a Georgetown University doctor to Irish immigrants.
The expressions in this 1895 photograph of Georgetown students invite comparison with students photographed decades later.
The selections include Kennedy at American University, Ken Burns at Georgetown and speeches at Catholic, GW and Gallaudet.
A Georgetown stable attendant reported a horse thief and a gunshot in 1900. Police found the horse on campus and suspected a student prank.
A wartime advertisement described Georgetown University’s reorganization in support of the war effort.
A Georgetown University Library photograph shows a baseball game on the university grounds in 1900.
Copley Hall opened at Georgetown University in 1931 as one of the campus’s major new buildings. Here are the original photos from its opening.
A 1903 report described the arrest of Delgado Crofton, accused of taking $2,200 from Georgetown University’s medical school.
A 1928 photograph shows five Georgetown baseball players together.
Wondering how college tuition prices have changed over the years? Read this comparison of college tuition prices in 1911 vs. today to see how much it has changed
In 1928, a football victory at Georgetown University resulted in a surprise wedding for Marjorie Morris and F Stanley Nishwitz. Read the story of this unique bet and the final score that rang the wedding bells!
In January 1883, the body of hanged murderer Charles Shaw lay in a medical college at 10th and E. Students drew straws for the parts, $3 a limb.
Judge spent most of his career with Washington and made the city his home after his playing days.
In December 1902, the Washington Senators signed Charley Moran, the Georgetown University shortstop, to a baseball contract. Unfortunately, he failed to live up to expectations and was out of baseball by 1905.
