Built in 1895, Denny Hall is the oldest building of the University of Washington. It was designed by Charles Saunders in the style of the French Renaissance Revival and built with brick and sandstone. The University prioritized the building in their "Restore the Core" initiative, which aimed to restore fifteen historic buildings on the campus.

Over the years the use of the building has changed to meet the university's needs. At various times it has housed the president's office, a library, an observatory, a gymnasium, an armory, and classrooms for a variety of different departments.

It's most recent restoration efforts began in 2015 and the building was opened again for use the Fall of 2016. Although the interior has completely changed the exterior was intentionally kept the same, and to this day it remains similar to the pictures from our State Library Photograph Collection, 1851-1990.

(link: https://digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/E6B50AFC5F98D3C0EACFF9D8404556D2)