1914
Year Established
Founded By
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Story
American University was founded to be a 'national university' training public servants. The campus was used for chemical weapons research during WWI, and unexploded ordnance is still occasionally discovered in Spring Valley.
What Was Here Before
The 84-acre campus was assembled from farmland in the early 1890s. The location was chosen for its elevation and distance from the city center.
Neighborhood Context
AU shapes the entire neighborhood, from student housing demand to the cultural character of Wisconsin Avenue businesses.