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Discover premier event venues in Washington, D.C. at the Mount Vernon Campus (MVC). Whether you're planning a wedding, bar or bat mitzvah, corporate conference, or private reception, our campus offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern amenities. From the elegant Hand Chapel to the versatile Ames Hall, we provide the perfect setting for unforgettable events.
LOCATION
2100 Foxhall Rd
Washington, DC 20007
HOURS & ACCESS
gwu [dot] edu (MVC Events team). Normal hours for booking are 9 am - 10 pm.Venue Overview
Post Hall: Historic Venue for Receptions & Seminars
Post Hall features antique furnishings, hardwood floors, and a scenic terrace. Ideal for hosting wedding receptions, academic seminars, concerts, and corporate luncheons, this venue blends historic charm with versatile functionality.
- Post Hall Details
Post Hall is the premier event space on Mount Vernon Campus. Named in honor of philanthropist Marjorie Merriweather Post and built in memory of her parents, Post Hall is located on the 2nd floor of the Academic Building.
Mrs. Post supervised many details, from the architectural design to the interior materials and furnishings. Post Hall was originally intended as a receiving room for the male guests of the female students of the Mount Vernon College and Seminary, but it is now a beautiful space where a variety of events are hosted.
This historic space boasts:
- durable hardwood floors
- unique antique furnishings
- adjustable chandelier lighting
- a broad terrace that overlooks the beautiful Mount Vernon campus
Over the marble fireplace hangs a portrait of Elizabeth J. Somers, the founder of the Mount Vernon College and Seminary. The other walls feature portraits of notable people from the history of Mount Vernon, including Adelia Gates Hensley, Jean Dean Cole, and even Mrs. Post.
This space is great for:
- seminars
- receptions
- luncheons
- meetings
- concerts
- lectures
Ames Hall: Modern Classrooms & Skybox Reception Spaces
Ames Hall offers classrooms, a 125-person lecture hall, and skyboxes overlooking the softball field. These versatile spaces are great for conferences, student meetings, and casual receptions.
- Ames Hall Details
The newest building on campus, Ames Hall is home to large, technology-advanced classrooms and study rooms.
Ames Hall features state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces, including a 125-person lecture hall. Students have access to study rooms and spaces for collaboration and discussion.
Ames is home to Buff & Brew, our newest dining venue with grab-and-go items at affordable prices as well as an Amazon Just-Walk-Out store.
Ames Hall features skyboxes which overlook the Softball Field on the 1st, B1, and B2 floors of the building, and they can be reserved for your next reception. Please note that these spaces do not have built in audiovisual capacities.
Hand Chapel: Intimate Space for Weddings & Arts Events
Hand Chapel is a luminous, award-winning space nestled among dogwood trees, perfect for weddings, banquets, rehearsals, and performing arts events.
- Hand Chapel Details
Built in the early 1970s, Florence Hollis Hand Chapel is an award-winning, non-denominational multifunctional event space and performing arts center.
It was a gift to the Mount Vernon Seminary and College from the Callaway family and is nestled among thirty-nine dogwood trees, which each represent a graduate of Mount Vernon Seminary's final graduating class of 1969.
The chapel boasts a luminous open space with hardwood flooring and fixed pews on both sides of the mezzanine level.
This space is great for:
- performing arts events
- banquets
- weddings
- ceremonies
- meetings
Note: Hand Chapel does not have an elevator and has limited ADA accessibility.
Eckles Auditorium: Premier Space for Conferences & Presentations
Located in Eckles Library, this auditorium offers modular seating, AV tech, and flexible lighting. Ideal for lectures, receptions, and collaborative meetings.
- Eckles Auditorium Details
Eckles Auditorium is one of our large, premier event spaces on the Mount Vernon Campus, located in Eckles Library. With customizable lighting options, state-of-the-art technology, and modern, comfortable seating, Eckles Auditorium is a fantastic setting for your next large conference, meeting, or reception.
This space is great for:
- Lectures
- Presentations
- Receptions
- Collaborative Meetings
West Hall: Flexible Meeting & Performance Spaces
West Hall includes multiple AV-equipped meeting rooms of various sizes, a blackbox theatre, a recording studio, and twoa dance studios. It's great for rehearsals, conferences, departmental meetings, and creative performances.
MVC Quad: Outdoor Venue for Celebrations & Gatherings
The Quad offers a scenic, open-air setting for wedding ceremonies, student festivals, and community events. Its natural setting makes it ideal for seasonal and casual outdoor gatherings.
- MVC Quad Details
The MVC Quad is the center of campus life. Set among historic brick buildings and greenery, the Quad is a vibrant space for student gatherings and special events. The views of the rolling hills of the Palisades offer a vista that is notable in the spring and summer and even more spectacular with the autumn changing of the leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What types of events can be hosted at Mount Vernon Campus?
We welcome weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, Quinceañeras, conferences, receptions, lectures, performances, special events, and student or departmental meetings. Browse our venue overview and capacity charts to identify your ideal space.
- What are the event guidelines and policies?
The policies for renting a Mount Vernon campus space are found in GWU’s student center policies and Events & Venues guidelines.
- How do I book a space?
Booking options are available for students, departments, and external clients. Visit the appropriate booking portal or contact the MVC Events team for assistance.
- How far in advance of my events should I book a venue?
We recommend booking as far in advance as possible, as reservations are first-come, first-serve. Additionally, at least a few weeks are needed to adequately plan and process the necessary paperwork.
- Are the venues ADA accessible?
Most Mount Vernon Campus event venues are ADA compliant. Please note that Hand Chapel has limited accessibility and is not equipped with an elevator.
- Is catering available on-site?
While we do not offer in-house catering, external catering is permitted. Please coordinate with the MVC Events team.
- Do Mount Vernon Campus venues have audiovisual capabilities?
Mount Vernon Campus venues feature audiovisual presentation and conferencing capabilities. Presenters can show their content on enlarged video screens and have their voices amplified for increased intelligibility. Several venues have advanced features like wireless presentation and web conferencing to allow remote attendees to be part of the event.
- What parking and transportation options are available to guests?
Parking: On-campus parking is available for guests. Please confirm availability with the MVC Events team.
Shuttle: The Mount Vernon Express (VEX) Shuttle provides easy and free transit from the Foggy Bottom Campus for GW community members. Riders will be required to show their GWorld card upon boarding in order to utilize the GW shuttle services.
- What are the hours for booking events?
All sites are available seven days a week. Standard booking hours are 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Extended hours may be available upon request.
- How can I advertise my event?
Registered student organizations are encouraged to submit their events to the GW Engage platform. GW Engage events will be automatically included in the GW Events Calendar upon approval.
Other university event organizers are encouraged to submit events to the GW Events Calendar.
Ready to book your event?
External Clients