Sewall Hall

Sewall Hall is one of CU Boulder’s most distinctive and beloved historic buildings. Constructed in 1934 as the university’s first residence hall built specifically for student housing, it originally served as a dormitory for women. The building is named for Joseph A. Sewall, CU’s first president, who led the university from 1877 to 1887 and helped guide the institution through its formative years.

Designed by renowned architect Charles Z. Klauder, Sewall Hall is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of the university’s signature Tuscan vernacular architectural style. Built from multicolored sandstone with red tile roofs and distinctive courtyards, the hall reflects Klauder’s vision for a campus aesthetic inspired by rural Italian architecture. Originally organized into four residential wings named for women who played important roles in the university’s history, the building was designed to foster both community and academic engagement among its residents.

For nearly a century, Sewall Hall has remained a center of student life and learning. In 1969, students living in Sewall helped pioneer an innovative concept that brought faculty members into the residence hall to teach small academic classes, laying the foundation for CU Boulder’s Residential Academic Programs. Today, Sewall continues that tradition as home to the Stories and Societies Residential Academic Program, combining historic character with a vibrant intellectual community and preserving its role as one of the university’s most cherished residential landmarks.