Healy Hall, Washington D.C.

Healy Hall, a National Historic Landmark, is the flagship building of Georgetown University's main campus. Constructed between 1877 and 1879, it was designed by architects Paul J. Pelz and John L. Smithmeyer, who also designed the Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress. The hall is named after Patrick Francis Healy, the president of Georgetown University during its construction. Known for its Neo-Romanesque and High Victorian Gothic architecture, Healy Hall stands as one of the last large-scale examples of this style in the United States.

The building serves as the primary administrative and reception venue for the university, while also housing classrooms and important university offices. Notably, Healy Hall contains Riggs Library, one of the few remaining cast iron libraries in the nation, and Gaston Hall, a grand auditorium often referred to as Georgetown's "Jewel in the Crown." The architecture of Healy Hall is a blend of Romanesque, Early Gothic, Late Gothic, and Early Renaissance styles, creating a unique and historic aesthetic that reflects the university's rich heritage.

Healy Hall is home to several key departments and institutes, including the Office of the President, Georgetown's Department of Classics, the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, and the Bioethics Research Library. Its notable rooms include the Philodemic Room, the meeting space for one of the oldest collegiate debating clubs in the nation; the Hall of Cardinals; the historic Constitution Room; and the Carroll Parlor, which features several significant pieces from the university's art collection. Each of these spaces contributes to the building's role as a center for academic and administrative activities at Georgetown.

Perhaps the most distinguished feature of Healy Hall is Gaston Hall, a 750-seat auditorium located on the third and fourth floors. Named after William Gaston, Georgetown's first student, this auditorium is adorned with the coats of arms of Jesuit colleges and universities, as well as rich allegorical scenes painted by Jesuit artist Brother Francis C. Schroen. Gaston Hall has hosted numerous world leaders and remains a symbol of Georgetown University's commitment to fostering dialogue and learning on a global scale.