Browse Exhibits (1 total)

A 5-piece photographic exhibit of Wash U's Women's Building as it has functioned for the university community through time (circa 1945-70 in comparison to present day 2025):

This exhibit aims to show the prevailing purpose yet continuous change of the Women's Building as the campus community has shifted - a powerful tether to Wash U's past as we move in the present and look toward the future.

The Women's Building formally opened on November 15, 1928 following a successful campaign to create a larger, safe and welcoming social space for women on campus as enrollment by women increased on college campuses nationwide. The former space was McMillan Hall, quickly being outgrown (University Archives, Washington University in St. Louis  | Women’s Building · Celebrating Women). The Women's Building was renamed the Ann Whitney Olin Women's Building in 1979 for her dedication to furthering the educational opportunities of women (Research Guides: Campus Architecture: Danforth Campus Buildings: Danforth Campus Buildings: W).

Since 1928, the Women's Building has undeniably fostered a safe and welcoming space for women in sororities and other female campus organizations, and while this original purpose has prevailed, the building's functions have expanded and shifted. The building began as host to a large lounge, two parlors, an alumnae room, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, among other facilities (University Archives, Washington University in St. Louis  | Pages From “a Vital Need” Fund-raising Booklet for the Women’s Building). Now, the building no longer holds a gymnasium and cafeteria, yet has expanded to house not only women's organizations but also gender-inclusive fraternities and underrepresented campus groups, just one instance in the Women's Building's changing narrative through time.