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Thurston Hall (official name Mabel Thurston) is a co-ed student residence hall on the Foggy Bottom campus at 1900 F St. hosting 825 freshman students.

Thurston

Thurston Hall

Location[]

Thurston Hall is located in the south-eastern part of the Foggy Bottom campus, near Mitchell Hall and around the bend from the Elliott School Building, within the East Commons neighborhood. Thurston Hall is the closest residence hall to the White House, being situated only four blocks away.

Thurstongoogle

Thurston Hall from above

Building and Room Structure[]

Thurston Hall consists of 9 floors with 4 hallways per floor in a square configuration. There is a newly-built dining hall in the basement. Rooms are single-sex; floors are co-ed.

Breakdown of available room types:

  • 2-Person unit (88%)
  • Single unit (12%)

For floor plans of Thurston rooms, visit: https://living.gwu.edu/sites/g/files/zaxdzs5701/files/Thurston%20Hall%20Floor%20Plans%20New%202022.pdf

After its renovation, Thurston has semi-private bathrooms. There are public sinks and private rooms with toilets and showers.

Amenities and Features[]

  • TV Lounge, study areas, and community kitchens on each floor
  • Laundry facilities on each floor
  • Room specific: Study area with desk and chairs, twin long beds (bunkable), microfridge, cable tv capabilities, individual high speed internet, and individual phone line.

History[]

(the following comes from the GW Hatchet article "Within These Walls", written in 2003 by Liz Bartolomeo, found at http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2003/06/16/Features/Within.These.Walls-439410.shtml)

MabelThurston

Mabel Nelson Thurston, first GW female graduate

Since 1930, a large building has dominated the corner of 19th and F streets. Formerly the Park Central apartments, GW purchased the building in 1963 to make it an all-female residence hall called the Superdorm. From 1964 to 1972, the hall housed all of the University's female residents. It provided beds for over 900 students.

The first residents of the Superdorm had to comply with the University's dress code for women. Not only were "girls not to be in the lounge or lobby in shorts, jeans, slacks or similar attire," but the campus provided a chart that clearly listed what women could and could not wear, according to a 1964 pamphlet put out by the Office of the Dean of Women. Informal dances - better known as fraternity parties - required a tailored dress or sweater and skirt, while cultural events mandated a tailored suit or date dress, gloves, optional hat and heels.

The building was officially named Mabel Nelson Thurston Hall in 1967, after GW's first female undergraduate. Thurston was admitted to the then-named Columbian University in 1888, but she didn't take classes with other students because she was considered a distraction to the male students, according to University archives. Instead, she had to see her professors for her assignments.

The 1972-73 school year marked the introduction of coed housing for GW, with Thurston, Mitchell, Madison and Crawford halls housing men and women. But even before the mixing of the sexes, Thurston was a place of scandal and controversy.

On September 30, 1968, a group of student protesters staged a "love-in" in one of the lounges to protest the enforcement of the University's midnight curfew for males and non-residents, according to the book "From Strength to Strength." The book highlights the history of the University, including interesting events at Thurston. The students posted a sign that read, "This lounge has been liberated."

In 1971, Thurston residents hung a banner outside the residence that featured a picture of a penis to protest the war in Vietnam. The banner was just one of the frequent disputes between Thurston residents and the neighboring Embassy of Uruguay - now home of the University Club.

In the year 1978, in the Thurston basement, Yog-Sothoth was summoned in an ancient ritual by GWU Occultists. The creature subsequently went on a rampage, destroying multiple blocks within the city, but keeping the dorm intact. After fifteen minutes of unbridled rage and destruction, Yog-Sothoth was send back to the realm for which he came by ancestral mages and wizards adept in the arts of transportation and wormhole magic. Yog-Sothoth's influence is still present in Thurston with multiple rooms holding shrines in his name, and the bathrooms frequently clogging,

In 2019, GW's Board of Trustees approved a complete interior renovation to Thurston. The project was completed by fall move-in 2022, complete with an atrium, new study lounges (including the penthouse), floor kitchens, semi-private bathrooms, and a dining hall in the basement.

House Staff[]

There are Resident Community Engagement Advisors (CEAds) that reside in Thurston and three community coordinators assigned to the house.

House Theme[]

Previously, the first four floors of Thurston Hall (commonly referred to as "lower Thurston") were designated as the Culture and Arts House. The top five floors of Thurston Hall (commonly referred to as "upper Thurston") were designated as the Politics and Public Policy House and also served the Honors, SEAS, Politics and Values, and Substance Free communities. Both lower Thurston and Upper Thurston housed freshmen of all majors.

(The following is taken from http://living.gwu.edu/halls/firstyear/ThurstonHall/)

The Culture and Arts House at Thurston: Residents of the Culture and Arts House have the unique opportunity to live closely amongst other students who have similar interests in the visual arts, creative writing, performing arts, culinary arts, art history, ethnic diversity and cultural exploration. Many play musical instruments, dance, watch movies from different cultures, cook ethnic foods, sing, and experience the diverse D.C. community together. The Culture and Arts House is a place for students’ talents and interests to flourish within an artistic community alongside their peers.

Politics and Public Policy House at Thurston In a setting situated just four blocks from the White House, the Politics and Public Policy House at Thurston provides first-year students with the opportunity to engage their interests in politics through lobbying, debate, law, and campaigning. Students with an interest in political systems and the people behind the authority and power of politics will thrive in this environment.

As of 2022-2023, Thurston Hall no longer has house themes. The opportunity to create themed housing is exclusive to District House and its Affinity Housing.

Security[]

Thurston has a University Police Officer stationed in the lobby 24/7. To get to the dining hall or the residential areas, one must tap their GWorld at the desk, again within the elevator, and again at their room's door.

There are video cameras in every corner of Thurston that look down each of the 4 hallways.

Pros[]

  • Thurston is held to be an example of the true freshman experience. 825 freshmen crammed into one building can cause more than a little stress, but often gives each resident an experience they will never forget.
  • Compared to other dorms with common bathrooms, Thurston's semi-private bathrooms are preferred.

Cons[]

  • Due to the building housing only freshman students, noise is a constant issue. Additionally, 3 elevators serving 9 floors make the stairs about the only reasonable option during busy transit times.
  • Because of Thurston's reputation, University Police patrol the hallways every half hour. This can be considered a pro or con, depending what your outlook is.
  • As with any college living situation, sometimes people do not clean up after themselves in the bathrooms.
    IMG 0157

    Student being Emerged in front of Thurston Hall

Other facts[]

External Links[]

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