Cramton Auditorium: A Cultural Icon at Howard University
Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, a 1,500-seat venue, has been a cultural cornerstone since its opening in 1961, enriching the social and academic lives of students and the broader community. Named in honor of Louis C. Cramton, a Michigan Congressman from 1913 to 1931, the auditorium has hosted global leaders, prominent political figures, and star performers.
Howard University: A Legacy of Truth and Service
Founded in 1867, Howard University holds a distinguished place in American higher education. Established when President Andrew Johnson signed the official Charter, proclaiming the school “a University for the education of youth in the liberals arts and sciences” open to all races, sexes and social classes. The University's motto, Veritas et Utilitas (Truth and Service), encapsulates its commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility. Howard offers more than 140 areas of study, awarding over 120,000 degrees in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Notably, Howard has produced more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States, and it continues to be a leader in STEM fields.
The historic main campus is located on a hilltop in Northwest Washington, D.C., near the U Street corridor and the Howard Theatre. The College of Medicine is internationally recognized, and the School of Law has been a champion of social justice for over 150 years, producing influential figures such as the first African-American Supreme Court Justice. Each year, over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students contribute to the surrounding community through service initiatives.
Architectural Context and Development
In 1926, Mordecai Johnson, Howard’s first African American president, appointed Albert Irvin Cassell as campus architect. Cassell was charged with creating a campus master plan and diminishing congressional control over Howard. After 1938, many commissions went to the joint venture of Hilyard Robinson and Paul R. Williams, who modernized the campus by replacing traditional Victorian-revivalist styles with streamlined designs.
Paul R. Williams' involvement with Howard began in 1931 when he participated in a campus exhibition curated by Howard Mackey. This exhibition highlighted the work of practicing African American architects. Williams' connection with Howard spanned 30 years.
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Robinson and Williams significantly shaped the campus, designing buildings such as men’s dormitories (1939 and 1948) and a state-of-the-art dental school (1955). The Engineering and Architecture Building (1952) provided an advanced learning environment for students. Howard University building projects designed jointly by Paul R. Williams and Hilyard Robinson include: George William Cook Hall (men's dormitory), Lewis King Downing Hall (engineering and architecture building), Russell Alexander Dixon School of Dentistry Building, Chauncy Ira Cooper Building School of Pharmacy, Ernest Everett Just Hall Biology and Greenhouse, Charles Richard Drew Hall (men's dormitory), Lulu Vere Childers Hall (fine arts), Cramton Auditorium, and Ira Aldridge Theater.
A Hub for Performance and Events
Cramton Auditorium quickly became a vital space for a variety of events. Shortly after opening in 1961, the National Symphony Orchestra performed as the “first guest performance” in the facility. The auditorium has been the venue for concerts, Howard student fashion shows, and graduation ceremonies.
The Capitol Ballet Company also graced the stage of Cramton Auditorium on several occasions, presented by The Howard University Faculty Women’s Club. In honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., The Capitol Ballet Company performed at Cramton Auditorium, Howard University.
Renovations and Modernization
To commemorate its golden anniversary, Cramton Auditorium underwent a $4.5 million renovation, completed in the fall of 2011. Overseen by Cox, the project architect from Olaya Studio, the renovation aimed to enhance the user experience and create a sustainable environment. The upgrades included improved accessibility, lighting, dressing rooms, and expanded restrooms.
The renovation team selected high-quality materials to ensure longevity and minimize disruptions to the performance schedule. White tile from Spain was paired with Hiny Hiders bathroom partitions in Java, with Contour texture from Scranton Products. All 1,500 seats were replaced with new upholstered seats, including a VIP section featuring the Howard University logo. The aisles were also reconfigured within the main seating area.
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Accessibility and Features
Cramton Auditorium provides accessible seating throughout, with a dedicated accessible entrance at the front of the building. While there is no elevator, ramp access is available to lower-level seating. The auditorium is conveniently located a 15-minute walk from the Shaw/Howard University metro station (Green and Yellow Lines). Parking is available in Howard University’s visitor lots. Campus security is present for all events, and bags are subject to search.
The College of Fine Arts and Chadwick Boseman's Legacy
The College of Fine Arts has a storied history at Howard. In 1961, the Howard University Annual Report noted the effective “togetherness” of the School of Music and the Department of Art and Drama. New facilities were constructed, including Cramton Auditorium and Childers Hall. However, by 1996, the College of Fine Arts was folded into the College of Arts and Sciences due to federal budget cuts.
Students, including Chadwick Boseman, protested the decision and advocated for the college's return. In early 2018, their efforts succeeded, and the college was officially reactivated. Following Boseman's death in 2020, the college was named the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts.
A new Center for Arts and Communication is planned, which will house the College of Fine Arts, the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, the architecture program, and WHUT-TV and WHUR 96.3FM. Robert A. Iger, executive chairman of The Walt Disney Company, is leading fundraising efforts for the new center and the college's endowment. Netflix has also established a $5.4 million endowed scholarship in Boseman’s name.
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tags: #Howard #University #Cramton #Auditorium #history
