Exterior view of Administration Building at University of Washington Seattle on May 1 1901 showing north sides of building

Denny Hall

Denny Hall Seattle: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Sites Guide

Date: 03/07/2025

Introduction

Denny Hall, the oldest building on the University of Washington’s Seattle campus, stands as a testament to both the university’s rich academic history and the city’s architectural heritage. Completed in 1895 and designed in the French Renaissance Revival style, Denny Hall has witnessed Seattle’s transformation from a pioneer outpost to a vibrant urban center. Today, it continues to serve as a hub for learning, culture, and community engagement, making it an essential stop for visitors interested in Seattle historical sites, architecture, and academic traditions.

This comprehensive guide details everything prospective visitors need to know about Denny Hall, including its historical significance, visiting hours, accessibility, travel tips, and nearby attractions. Whether you are a history enthusiast, architecture fan, prospective student, or curious traveler, Denny Hall offers a unique window into Seattle’s educational and cultural evolution.

For further details and updates, consult official resources such as (UW Special Collections), (SAH Archipedia), and (UW First Year Programs).

Aerial view of University of Washington campus showing Denny Hall and Parrington Hall in Seattle around 1919

Historic black and white photograph of Manufactures and Oriental Buildings on the right, Agriculture Building on the left, with Cascades and Geyser Basin in the center during construction at Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Seattle, 1908

Panoramic view of University of Washington campus featuring Lewis Hall and Clark Hall with Lake Washington in the background

Ground breaking ceremony for Chehalis County Building at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, Seattle 1909 with Denny Hall in background

Early 20th century University of Washington chemistry class with students conducting experiments in Denny Hall basement laboratory

Group of children standing on University of Washington grounds with Denny Hall in background in 1895

Snow-covered columns at the University of Washington, February 1916

Columns at University of Washington in snow circa 1916

Historic columns once located outside Denny Hall, now in Sylvan Grove Theater, circa 1920

Construction of Denny Hall at University of Washington in 1895

Denny Hall campus building University of Washington Seattle circa 1905 historic black and white photo

Denny Hall, University of Washington, Seattle, historic college building in 1898

Historic Denny Hall building at University of Washington in Seattle, photographed from the north in 1898

Denny Hall historic college building at University of Washington campus in Seattle circa 1898

Denny Hall building front view in 1905, historical university architecture designed by Charles Saunders

Historic front view of Denny Hall, an architectural building designed by Charles Saunders in 1895

Denny Hall historic building front view in 1920, designed by Charles Saunders, constructed in 1895

Historic photograph of Denny Hall and surrounding university buildings at University of Washington campus in Seattle circa 1912

Denny Hall at the University of Washington campus around 1910, historic early university building

Denny Hall auditorium at University of Washington Seattle circa 1905

Denny Hall cornerstone laying ceremony at University of Washington in Seattle around 1895

Denny Hall at University of Washington covered in snow circa 1910, historic snowy campus scene

Denny Hall building on the University of Washington campus in Seattle circa 1900-1903

Denny Hall University of Washington 1910

Front view of Denny Hall at University of Washington campus in Seattle

Administration Building, now Denny Hall, University of Washington, Seattle, from 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition materials

Group of male and female college students seated in front of tent-like structure during University of Washington Campus Day circa 1910

Historic view of Lake Union and Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle from University of Washington campus roof in late 19th century

Laying the cornerstone of Denny Hall at University of Washington on July 4, 1894

Panoramic view of the University District in Seattle circa 1906 showing historic buildings and streetscapes from an eastern viewpoint near present-day Roanoke neighborhood

President's office in Denny Hall at University of Washington, Seattle, circa 1905

Denny Hall at University of Washington Seattle circa 1905 with Professor Edmond Meany's museum exhibits inside

Historic lecture room of Professor Henry Landes in Denny Hall at the University of Washington, circa 1905

Cover page of the 1903 Progress Edition of the Seattle Mail and Herald newspaper

Front page of Seattle Mail and Herald newspaper from November 10, 1906, featuring portrait of George F. Cotterill, candidate for state senate, with articles on Alaska-Pacific-Yukon Exposition and Alaska photographs

Side view of Denny Hall, University of Washington campus, Seattle, early 1900s

Students walking on University of Washington campus, Seattle, 1915

Historic Territorial University columns with Denny Hall in the background at University of Washington Seattle circa 1914

Introduction
Denny Hall History
Visiting Denny Hall
Architectural Features and Traditions
Campus Context and Nearby Attractions
Special Events and Tours
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Visual Resources
Conclusion and Call to Action
References

Denny Hall History

Campus Relocation and Origins

The University of Washington (UW) was founded in downtown Seattle in 1861. With Seattle’s rapid growth, the original campus soon became too constrained. In the early 1890s, the Washington State Legislature approved UW’s move to a larger site near Union Bay. Much of this land was donated by Arthur A. Denny, a Seattle founder, whose legacy is honored in the building’s name (SAH Archipedia). The selection of Denny Hall’s site was famously marked by Regent Kellogg planting his umbrella to indicate the cornerstone’s location—a moment later documented by architect Charles Saunders (UW Special Collections).

Architecture and Construction

Charles Saunders won the architectural competition for the university’s flagship building. Construction began in 1894, with the cornerstone laid on July 4th in a ceremony featuring Masonic rites. The building, originally called the Administration Building, opened in 1895, housing recitation rooms, laboratories, a museum, an assembly hall, a library, and business offices. Its first library contained 6,000 volumes, serving as UW’s primary library on the new campus (UW Special Collections).

Denny Hall is distinguished by its French Second Empire (French Renaissance Revival) design and its use of locally quarried Tenino sandstone, contrasting with the red brick favored by other universities. Its mansard roof, ornate dormers, and symmetrical façade evoke the chateaux of France’s Loire Valley (SAH Archipedia).

Naming and Academic Role

Renamed Denny Hall in 1910, the building quickly became the heart of the campus, housing the president’s office, classrooms, laboratories, and the main library. Stone left over from its construction built the university’s observatory, and surplus funds were used for additional campus facilities (UW Special Collections).

Over time, Denny Hall became home to the Departments of Anthropology, Germanics, Classics, and Near Eastern Languages and Civilization, as well as a modern language lab (UW Anthropology).

Renovations and Preservation

Growth and modernization prompted several renovations. The 1950s saw interior changes to accommodate more departments, while the 1970s and, most notably, the 2015–2016 restoration by Hacker Architects focused on seismic upgrades, accessibility, and preservation of historical elements. The recent renovation also introduced modern learning spaces and restored historic features while earning LEED Gold certification for sustainability (Hacker Architects).

Visiting Denny Hall

Hours and Admission

Standard Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (may vary on holidays and university breaks; confirm on the official UW website).
Admission: Free; no tickets required for public areas. Some spaces are restricted to students, faculty, or staff.

Accessibility

Denny Hall is fully ADA-compliant, with elevators, ramps, and accessible restrooms—improvements made during the 2015–2016 renovation ensure comfortable access for all visitors (Hacker Architects).

Travel Tips

Getting There: Located on Klickitat Lane, Denny Hall is accessible via King County Metro bus lines and the University of Washington light rail station.
Parking: Available in campus lots, but limited during peak periods. Public transit, walking, and biking are recommended.
Best Time to Visit: Weekdays during university hours offer the best access. Spring and early fall provide scenic beauty, especially with cherry blossoms in the Denny Yard.
Restrooms: Public restrooms are available inside.
Dining: Numerous cafes, food trucks, and restaurants are within walking distance in the University District.

Architectural Features and Traditions

Denny Hall’s French Renaissance Revival style is rare among Pacific Northwest institutions. Key highlights include:

Masonry and Facade: Heavy Tenino sandstone and intricate brickwork harmonize with the campus environment (UW Facilities).
Cupola and Varsity Bell: The two-story cupola houses the original 400-pound Varsity Bell, rung annually at Homecoming (Wikipedia).
Interior: The 2016 renovation restored historic woodwork and introduced an atrium and open staircase, blending tradition with modernity.
Sustainability: LEED Gold certification recognizes the building’s energy-efficiency improvements.

Traditions:

The Varsity Bell is rung each Homecoming, welcoming alumni.
The bronze “W” sculpture at the north entrance is a favorite photo spot (UW Campus Highlights Guide).

Campus Context and Nearby Attractions

Denny Hall’s central campus location makes it a perfect base for exploring:

Suzallo Library: A renowned example of collegiate Gothic architecture, open for tours (UW Admissions Visit).
UW Observatory: Built from leftover Denny Hall sandstone, offering public viewing nights (UW Magazine).
Burke Museum: Exhibiting natural history, culture, and Indigenous heritage.
Drumheller Fountain and The Quad: Scenic gathering spots, especially during cherry blossom season.
University District: Home to historic cafés and independent shops (The Seattle Times).

Note: The land is traditionally home to the Duwamish people. The nearby wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ (Intellectual House) honors Indigenous heritage (UW Husky History Exploration).

Special Events and Tours

Guided Tours: Bookable through the UW Visitor Center, tours often include Denny Hall and other campus highlights.
Virtual Tours: Available online for those unable to visit in person.
Events: The Varsity Bell ceremony and occasional lectures or cultural events are held at Denny Hall; consult the UW events calendar for current details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are Denny Hall’s visiting hours?
Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM; confirm current hours on the UW website.

Is there an admission fee or ticket required?
No; public access is free.

Are guided tours available?
Yes; book through the UW Visitor Center.

Is Denny Hall wheelchair accessible?
Yes; ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms are provided (Hacker Architects).

Where is Denny Hall located?
On Klickitat Lane, central University of Washington campus (The 500 Hidden Secrets).

Visual Resources

Images: Seek photos labeled “Denny Hall Seattle exterior,” “Bronze W sculpture at Denny Hall entrance,” and “Denny Yard cherry blossoms.”
Virtual Tours and Maps: Interactive campus maps and online tours are available via the UW Visitor Center.
Onsite Plaques: Informational signage provides historical and architectural context.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Denny Hall stands as a living monument to Seattle’s academic and architectural legacy. Visitors can explore its blend of rich history, innovative preservation, and campus culture—all with free admission and easy access. Whether you’re attending a guided tour, witnessing the Varsity Bell ceremony, or simply enjoying the campus gardens, Denny Hall promises a memorable and meaningful experience.

Ready to explore Denny Hall and Seattle’s historical treasures?
Download the Audiala app for guided tours, travel tips, and updates on Seattle’s top historical sites. For more information and event updates, visit the University of Washington Visitor Center and follow us on social media.