Rackham Graduate School, Ann Arbor
The Rackham Graduate School stands as an elegant historical landmark at the heart of Ann Arbor鈥檚 Central Campus. A gift from Mary and Horace Rackham in 1935, the building was designed by William Kapp of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls and officially opened in June 1938. Its classical Renaissance exterior and the elaborate Art Deco interior鈥攎ost notably the Rackham Auditorium, with its gold-leafed ceiling and plush seating鈥攎ake it a striking destination for visitors with an appreciation for architectural craftsmanship.
Originally established in 1912 as the University of Michigan鈥檚 Graduate Department, the institution was later renamed in honor of the Rackham Fund, aimed at advancing graduate research and education. Today, it administers over 180 master鈥檚, doctoral, and certificate programs across all schools and colleges, serving a vibrant community of more than 11,000 postgraduate students. Visitors can appreciate not only its administrative significance but also its role as a hub for intellectual exchange.
Though primarily dedicated to graduate life, Rackham warmly opens its doors to the public. The elegant lobby and hallways are accessible Monday through Friday, typically between 8 a.m. and early evening, with occasional weekend and evening events hosted in the Auditorium. The Auditorium, seating roughly 1,040, frequently hosts public lectures, performances, and academic ceremonies, offering tourists a chance to experience its grand acoustic and visual ambience.
For those exploring Ann Arbor鈥檚 rich university landscape, Rackham offers a quiet moment of architectural reverie, framed by its storied past and ongoing educational mission. Whether passing through on a self鈥慻uided walking tour or attending an event, its imposing fa莽ade and decorative interior resonate with the cultural and intellectual heartbeat of the University of Michigan.
Originally established in 1912 as the University of Michigan鈥檚 Graduate Department, the institution was later renamed in honor of the Rackham Fund, aimed at advancing graduate research and education. Today, it administers over 180 master鈥檚, doctoral, and certificate programs across all schools and colleges, serving a vibrant community of more than 11,000 postgraduate students. Visitors can appreciate not only its administrative significance but also its role as a hub for intellectual exchange.
Though primarily dedicated to graduate life, Rackham warmly opens its doors to the public. The elegant lobby and hallways are accessible Monday through Friday, typically between 8 a.m. and early evening, with occasional weekend and evening events hosted in the Auditorium. The Auditorium, seating roughly 1,040, frequently hosts public lectures, performances, and academic ceremonies, offering tourists a chance to experience its grand acoustic and visual ambience.
For those exploring Ann Arbor鈥檚 rich university landscape, Rackham offers a quiet moment of architectural reverie, framed by its storied past and ongoing educational mission. Whether passing through on a self鈥慻uided walking tour or attending an event, its imposing fa莽ade and decorative interior resonate with the cultural and intellectual heartbeat of the University of Michigan.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Ann Arbor. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Rackham Graduate School on Map
Sight Name: Rackham Graduate School
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Ann Arbor, USA (See walking tours in Ann Arbor)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Create Your Own Walk in Ann Arbor
Creating your own self-guided walk in Ann Arbor is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Ann Arbor Introduction Walking Tour
A western exurb of Detroit, the charming green college town of Ann Arbor possesses a unique charm and down-home atmosphere 鈥� a combination of big-city amenities and a small-town vibe.
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
It started off as a small strip of land registered in 1825 as "Annarbour", named after the wives of its co-founders, both called Ann, and the stands of bur oak trees. Following the move of the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Ann Arbor's Historical Buildings
Founded in the 1820s and centered on the University of Michigan, the city of Ann Arbor boasts hundreds of splendid buildings, many of which are included in the National Register. The U-M campus itself was registered as Historic District in 1978.
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
The abundance of down-home charm, especially in the historic district, is richly complemented by plethora of time-tested architectural landmarks in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
University of Michigan Walking Tour
Ann Arbor is a home to the sprawling University of Michigan 鈥� one of America鈥檚 best public educational institutions, attracting top students and faculty from all over the world.
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles
Founded in 1817 in Detroit as the University of Michigania, 20 years before the territory became a state, this university is Michigan's oldest. The school was moved to Ann Arbor in 1837. Among its alumni there... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles