The land and the water around the ASUW Shell House have been a place to gather since time immemorial. For generations, the Lakes Duwamish people met to portage their canoes across the land that used to separate Lake Union and Lake Washington.
The ASUW Shell House serves as a metaphor for the shared values of grit, resilience, and unbridled determination that are paramount for our continued success and innovative spirit. The many layers of our Pacific Northwest histories are represented in its fir beams — indigenous canoe culture, aviation, rowing, sport and innovation — creating new and inspired ways of thinking, tackling problems and working together. But most importantly, the ASUW Shell House tells the story of our community.
Following the culmination of an $18.5 million capital campaign, the University of Washington has committed to the ongoing restoration and maintenance of the historic ASUW Shell House, ensuring its preservation as a valuable learning and communal hub for students and the wider community. The restored building will celebrate the UW’s legacy of connection to the water while offering a space for students and the public to reflect on the great things we can accomplish when we act as a collective.
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Other ways to give
In addition to online gifts, the UW provides multiple ways for donors to support the causes and projects that matter to them most. From giving by mail to giving through your estate plans, there are a variety of options for you to explore. Contact Nicole Klein, Director of Development, at kleinn@uw.edu to learn more about these additional options.
The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish people of the lands and waters where the ASUW Shell House rests — land that touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.
