George Washington University

History of Medicine

Banner for Historic Medical Sites in the Washington, DC Area, Celebrating the Bicentennial of the Nation's Capital featuring an orange background with cream letters.

A black and white image of the front of the George Washington University Medical School and Hospital, ca. 1950s - several multi-story buildings. There are several 1950s model vehicles parked on the street in front of the building.

GWU Medical School and Hospital, ca. 1950s
Courtesy of Georgetown University, University Archives

George Washington University
School of Medicine
901 23rd Street, NW
Washington, DC 10037
http://www.gwumc.edu

The George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences has the distinction of being the oldest medical school in the District of Columbia. It traces its origin to the Medical Department of the Columbia College, established in 1825. It first occupied a building at the corner of E and 10th Streets, financed by its own faculty. In 1844, Congress granted the school the use of the Washington Infirmary at the Judiciary Square, which then became the first teaching hospital in the city. At the beginning of the Civil War, Washington Infirmary was turned into a military hospital, and the school reopened in 1863 on E Street, between 12th and 13th Streets, NW. In 1868, it moved to a new building at 1335 H Street, NW, donated by the philanthropist W.W. Corcoran. Columbian College became Columbian University in 1873, and it changed its name to George Washington University in 1904. Today, the George Washington University Medical Center is located on a modern campus near the Washington Circle.

For more information on the history of the George Washington University Medical Center, see David Anderson's article, "School of Medicine and Health Sciences."

See: #20 on Downtown Map.

Nearest Metro Station: 'Foggy Bottom' on Blue and Orange Lines.