ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

The Law Quadrangle was built for the University of Michigan by William W. Cook. Though he died before the project was completed, his plan for an area specifically built for law students lived on. With its official name being the Cook Law Quadrangle, the quad includes Hutchins Hall, a research building and two dormitories.

The buildings were completed in 1933. They were inspired by Oxford and Cambridge, which is reflected in their Tudor Gothic architectural style. The buildings were constructed using Weymouth granite and Indiana limestone.

The Law Quadrangle offers a lovely walk for any visitor to the University. The buildings remind tourists of old-world colleges, while the large trees provide ample shade. Visitors may wish to peek inside the buildings, but most are happy to walk throughout the quad in admiration.

William Cook received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1882. He was an attorney and a prolific writer. At the time of his death, Cook was estimated to be worth about $20 million.

The Law Quadrangle and all of its buildings are located between Tappan Avenue and Monroe Street. It is within a quick walk of the South Quadrangle, the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology and the University of Michigan Museum of Art. A stroll up Tappan Avenue to University gives visitors a perfect view of the president's home as well. From there, tourists are only steps away from Michigan Union.

Why You Should Visit:
- To enjoy the Tudor Gothic architecture
- To see a meaningful part of University of Michigan history

Tips:
Plan your walking tour with the Law Quadrangle as one of your first or last stops. It is a good place to take it easy at the beginning of a walk or rest after a fun day of exploration.

The Stephen M. Ross School of Business (Ross; formerly known as University of Michigan Business School) is a business school operated by the University of Michigan. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, as well as an executive education program. Its Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Executive Education programs have been ranked among the top in the U.S. and the world. Ross also offers dual degrees with other University of Michigan colleges and schools. The Distinguished Leader Certificate is offered by the Executive Education program.

The first business courses were offered at the University of Michigan in 1900. Economics Department Chairman Henry Carter Adams oversaw the expanding practical courses to prepare students for business careers. The idea for the school came from the economics department. In 1918, the university's College of Literature, Science, and the Arts began issuing a Certificate of Business Administration. In 1923, University President Marion LeRoy Burton hired Edmund Ezra Day to serve as the founding dean of a new business school.

The University of Michigan School of Business Administration was founded in 1924; it offered a two-year Master of Business Administration after three years of general studies. There were 14 faculty members, including one of the first women to be part of a business school. In 1925, the Bureau of Business Research was founded to facilitate and coordinate faculty research, and publish research monographs and case studies.

Upon its establishment in 1924, the business school was located in Tappan Hall, the oldest extant classroom building on campus. The original 1894 wing was designed by the Detroit firm Spier & Rohns, and the south wing was designed by Luckenbach / Ziegelman & Partners. The school moved to its current site in 1948.

The President’s House, situated on the University of Michigan’s Central Campus, has welcomed visitors since 1840, making it the oldest remaining building on campus. Originally one of four Greek Revival-style residences built for faculty as the university relocated from Detroit, it soon became the official residence of the university’s first president, Henry Philip Tappan, in 1852. Over time, the house evolved into a graceful Italianate mansion, undergoing multiple additions and modifications that reflect its storied past.

As you wander past its stucco-over-brick walls, bracketed eaves, and Doric-columned porch, you’re tracing the architectural narrative shaped by successive presidents. In the 1860s, Erastus Otis Haven added a third story and kitchen wing; in the 1890s, James Burrill Angell oversaw enhancements that included a semicircular library wing. Through the early 20th century, further renovations brought sun parlours, sleeping porches, glassed-in plant rooms, and stone terraces, marrying function with charm.

Today, the President’s House continues to serve its ceremonial role, representing a living link between the university’s past and present. Inside, you’ll find inviting common rooms, a period library that hosts receptions, and carefully preserved historic details alongside modern upgrades completed most recently in 2023 to ensure accessibility and comfort. The 22-room residence, once a quiet private domicile, now quietly celebrates milestone gatherings—from graduates’ receptions to community events—echoing more than 180 years of intellectual and civic life.

For tourists visiting Ann Arbor, a stop at the President’s House offers a contemplative interlude amid the bustling campus. It stands as both architectural anchor and storied witness to the university's evolution—from fledgling institution to national leader. While interior tours are generally private, the exterior’s dignified presence invites reflection on how campus life and leadership have changed, yet maintained a steadfast sense of place since the mid‑19th century.

The University of Michigan Museum of Art is one of the largest university art museums in the country. It holds over 20,000 works of art. The permanent collection in the museum includes pieces by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Franz Kline and James McNeill Whistler, to name a few. It also features glasswork from Tiffany & Company.

The museum was built in 1909 as a war memorial for alumni who fought and died in the United States Civil War. It was designed by architectural firm Donaldson and Meier in the Neoclassical style. The museum features a large bronze door flanked by two columns, which is indicative of Neoclassical architecture.

Along with the works inside, the museum has a number of outdoor art pieces. Sculptures by Mark di Suvero, Charles Ginnever, Beverly Pepper, Lucas Samaras, Erwin Binder and Michele Oka Doner can all be seen without entering the building.

The Michigan Union at the University of Michigan was completed in 1919. It was originally built to house an all-male student group of roughly 1,100 members. The first Michigan Union was in the former Thomas Cooley house. However, the growing population necessitated the home to be demolished so that the current building could be constructed. It was designed by architects Irving Kane Pond and Allen Bartlit Pond.

The continuous growth of the University of Michigan led to numerous renovations and additions over the years. The building was first expanded in 1936. Further expansions and renovations took place in 1938, 1955, 1994 and 2018. By 1968, all areas of the Michigan Union were considered co-ed.

The Michigan Union now offers a wide variety of services to students at the university. Along with meeting spaces, the union offers restaurants, shopping and student support services. There are also a number of administrative offices in the Michigan Union.

Those wishing to visit the University of Michigan campus will find some points of interest on the front steps of the building. President John F. Kennedy, then a candidate, spoke of his proposal for the Peace Corps on these steps, which is marked with a plaque. There are also two statues that represent the athlete and the scholar.

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) at the University of Michigan is the university’s largest and oldest academic division, dating back to its founding in 1841. Centrally located on the university’s historic Central Campus, the college is housed in a cluster of stately buildings near the iconic Diag, including Angell Hall with its recognizable neoclassical façade. Visitors walking through this area are surrounded by a mix of modern and classical architecture, green spaces, and student activity that reflect the university’s long-standing academic and cultural influence.

LSA encompasses more than 100 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. While the buildings themselves serve as lecture halls and research centers, they also contain public exhibits, reading rooms, and galleries that are often open to the public. For instance, Angell Hall’s Fishbowl—a large computer lab with sweeping windows—has become a small landmark in its own right, and the adjacent Mason and Haven Halls often host student art or poster presentations visible to passersby.

The college plays an important role in shaping intellectual life on campus. Its faculty includes Pulitzer Prize winners, MacArthur Fellows, and world-renowned researchers, contributing to a vibrant scholarly atmosphere. Tourists interested in campus culture may also encounter student-led events, impromptu performances, and public talks in and around LSA buildings. The location’s proximity to other cultural attractions—such as the University of Michigan Museum of Art and the Hatcher Graduate Library—makes it a natural stop during a visit to Ann Arbor.

The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology is located on the University of Michigan campus. The museum holds more than 100,000 ancient and medieval artifacts as part of its permanent collection. It also has special exhibits throughout the year and sponsors fieldwork and research.

The original Kelsey Museum of Archaeology building was constructed in 1888 and finished in 1891. It was designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style by architects Spier and Rohns. It was named after Francis Kelsey, a professor of Latin at the university. Kelsey collected artifacts throughout his life and even secured funding for excavations. He gifted these collections to the museum and continued doing so until his death in the early 20th century.

An addition was built in 2003, which added a much-needed wing to the museum. The William E. Upjohn Exhibit Wing added over 20,000 feet of space. This wing allowed the museum to display artifacts that had previously been hidden due to lack of room.

Angell Hall is an academic building at the University of Michigan. It was previously connected to the University Hall building, which was replaced by Mason Hall and Haven Hall. Angell Hall is named in honor of James Burrill Angell, who was the University's president from 1871 to 1909.

Construction began in 1920, and finished in 1924 at a cost of about $1 million. An addition opened in 1952 adding auditoriums, a classroom wing, and an office wing. The addition replaced old Haven Hall, which was destroyed by fire in 1950, the 1841 Mason Hall, and two other buildings.

The building's exterior, particularly the Doric columns, was intended to match that of campus other buildings at the time, including Hill Auditorium, Alumni Memorial Hall, and the Clements Library.

On the front facade, the carving reads, "Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." The text is taken from the Ordinance of 1787.

The Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library is the largest and most historical of the libraries on the University of Michigan campus. It is the primary research library for students of humanities and social sciences. The library contains over 3.5 million volumes, more than 10,000 periodicals and culturally important maps, manuscripts and government documents.

The building itself was completed in 1920. It was built on the grounds of the old library, which was incorporated into what was then called the General Library. The building was designed by Albert Kahn who used the Harvard campus as his inspiration.

The first floor entrance, which is now called the North Lobby, was decorated in Pompeian medallions designed by Ulysses Ricci. The symbols incorporated into the motifs include the staff of Aesclepius, a pegasus and a Greek mask. These figures are said to symbolize healing, poetry, music and drama.

Visitors to the University of Michigan campus must make an appointment to enter the stacks of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. Appointments may be made Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM.

The Diag is an open green space in the center of the University of Michigan campus. The name comes from the diagonal sidewalks that run through the green. These sidewalks are used by students to get to buildings on campus like the Shapiro Undergraduate Library, the Hatcher Graduate Library, West Hall, Tisch Hall and Randall Lab.

The Diag is one of the busiest places on the campus. Along with the numerous students who use the Diag to get from building to building, it is also often used for special events. On any given day, one can find a concert, demonstration or fundraiser taking place on the green. It is also a popular place for picnicking.

One of the most distinctive features of the green is a brass M, called the Michigan M, that is in the very center. Students take great pains to avoid stepping on the M as it is said that any student who steps on it will fail their first bluebook exam.

Hill Auditorium is a performance venue at the University of Michigan. It is known as the largest of its type on the campus. It was designed by Albert Kahn and Associates with a capacity to seat more than 4,000 people.

Hill Auditorium was named for Arthur Hill, former regent of the university. Upon his death, he left a gift to the school to create this performance space. It opened in 1913. It was known for its size as well as its acoustics. Kahn worked with Hugh Tallant to design a megaphone-shaped hall that would allow patrons in every seat to hear performances with ease.

The auditorium is a popular place for touring performances. Symphonies, orchestras and recording artists like Elton John and the Grateful Dead have all played at the Hill Auditorium. In addition, the auditorium is home to the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, the University of Michiga Philharmonia Orchestra and many others.

Perched on Central Campus at the University of Michigan, the Burton Memorial Tower stands as a dignified Art Deco landmark. Designed by the celebrated architect Albert Kahn and completed in 1936, this 192‑foot limestone-clad structure was built in memory of Marion LeRoy Burton, U‑M’s president from 1920 to 1925. Its striking design blends reinforced‑concrete practicality with decorative modernism, reflecting Kahn’s commitment to marrying form and function.

Atop the tower resides the famed Charles Baird Carillon—a grand instrument consisting of 53 bells, totaling 43 tons, making it one of the world’s heaviest carillons. Crafted in England and donated in 1935 by alumnus Charles Baird, it chimes the Westminster Quarters every fifteen minutes and frequently offers melodic recitals, from baroque études to contemporary arrangements. Visitors often gather on the plaza during performances, and occasional tours allow ascent to the bell chamber’s balcony for panoramic views over Ann Arbor.

The tower serves not only as a memorial and musical beacon but also as a functional academic building. Within its ten floors are offices and classrooms for the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, as well as departments of musicology and ethnomusicology. Its illuminated top is frequently lit in maize and blue during university celebrations, reinforcing its identity as a campus symbol.

Burton Tower seamlessly blends history, architecture, and musical artistry. Strolling through Ingalls Mall, one may pause to listen to the resonant bells, admire the elegant limestone façade, or glimpse the city’s tree‑lined avenues from above, making it a quietly compelling destination at the heart of Ann Arbor’s cultural fabric.

The Rackham Graduate School stands as an elegant historical landmark at the heart of Ann Arbor’s 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—most notably the Rackham Auditorium, with its gold-leafed ceiling and plush seating—make it a striking destination for visitors with an appreciation for architectural craftsmanship.

Originally established in 1912 as the University of Michigan’s 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’s, 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’s 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‑guided walking tour or attending an event, its imposing façade and decorative interior resonate with the cultural and intellectual heartbeat of the University of Michigan.

Palmer Field is an outdoor exercise and recreation area at the University of Michigan. Unlike some of the indoor facilities at the university, Palmer Field is open to non-students who make the appropriate reservations.

Many visitors to the campus simply enjoy observing Palmer Field's massive green space. The field has eight illuminated tennis courts, a soccer and frisbee area, a basketball court and a 1/4 mile track.

This area is much more than a sports and recreation spot. Palmer Field is historically significant because it was the field acquired to provide access to athletics for female students. The field was originally purchased by the Women's League in 1908. They named it after Senator Thomas Palmer to thank him for his financial contribution for the purchase.

Palmer Field is open throughout the year from dawn until dusk. Those wishing to view Palmer Field should be sure not to confuse the field with Palmer Commons, which is located across Washtenaw Avenue from the field.

The Central Campus Recreation Building is a recreational facility designed for students of the University of Michigan. Built in 1976, the facility offers a number of services for students who wish to take part in recreation or be physically fit.

Students of the university will find three basketball courts, two volleyball courts, a running track and a six-lane swimming pool. They also have access to free weights and fitness rooms that offer classes throughout the day.

The Central Campus Recreation Building is located on the corner of Washtenaw Avenue and Geddes Road. It is south of Palmer Field and a short distance from the Nichols Arboretum. The facility is only steps away from the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.

The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History offers visitors a wide-ranging look at prehistoric life, Michigan’s biodiversity, and global cultures through its scientifically grounded exhibits. Operated by the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, the museum reopened in 2019 in the Biological Sciences Building after relocating from the historic Ruthven Museums Building. Although its public museum was officially established in 1956, the university’s natural history collections date back to 1837, with the first exhibits opening to the public in 1881.

Spanning over 45,000 square feet, the museum provides free admission and houses several permanent galleries. The Hall of Evolution contains one of Michigan’s largest displays of fossils and models, featuring dinosaurs, ancient whales, and mastodons. The Michigan Wildlife Gallery showcases native birds, mammals, reptiles, and fungi from the Great Lakes region, including the world’s largest mastodon trackway on display. Other floors explore geology and anthropology, with mineral specimens and cultural artifacts from various parts of the world.

The museum's early home, the University Museums Building, was completed in 1928 and included collections from anthropology, paleontology, zoology, and botany. In 1940, two terrazzo puma sculptures were added to the building's entrance, designed by Carleton W. Angell and cast by the Works Progress Administration. The building was later renamed in honor of Alexander G. Ruthven, a former museum director and university president.

Today, visitors can also view rotating exhibits such as "The Invisible World of Mites," as well as displays on evolution, health, and archaeological research, all integrated into the museum’s updated facilities.

The University of Michigan School of Education is the education school of the University of Michigan and is located in Ann Arbor. The School of Education offers undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees. In 2011, U.S. News & World Report (USN&WR) ranked the school 9th overall. Within the school, specific programs ranked among USNWR's top-ten in six other areas: elementary education, secondary education, educational psychology (the Combined Program in Education and Psychology), higher education (the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education), curriculum/instruction, and educational policy.

The School of Education can be traced to the first charter of the University of Michigania, approved by the territorial government in 1817, which initially gave the university control over the state's entire system of public instruction. Although this arrangement was changed, the links between the university and the state's schools were firmly established.

In the spring of 1879, the Regents of the university created the Chair of the Science and Art of Teaching, the first full-time, permanent professorial chair in any American college or university devoted exclusively to the preparation of teachers. This regental act recognized the fact that many university students would become teachers and school administrators and that without instruction in education they would not be prepared for their work.

John Dewey spent the years 1884–1894 at the University of Michigan and while not directly involved in the education program he left his imprint on the university and was instrumental in launching the State of Michigan school accreditation program.