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THE HISTORICAL
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Spring Valley in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Mary Eliza Graydon

 
 
Mary Eliza Graydon Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 27, 2018
1. Mary Eliza Graydon Marker
Inscription.
"I prefer to put the money into brains rather than stone and mortar."

Mary Eliza Graydon (d. 1926) was The American University's most generous early benefactor. A devout Methodist, she was inspired by Bishop Hurst's plan for a Methodist university and contributed funds over a period of 50 years. In honor of her grandfather, she established the Patrick Clendenen Endowment Fund intended to support teaching and to promote the higher education of women, rather than financing building projects. In recognition of Mary Graydon's continued support, this building — begun in 1918 by the U.S. Government during WWI and completed in 1925 by the university — was named for her in 1945.
 
Erected 1993 by American University.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: EducationReligion & Religious StructuresWar, World IWomen. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.
 
Location. 38° 56.207′ N, 77° 5.316′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Spring Valley. It can be reached from Nebraska Avenue Northwest north of New Mexico
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Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north. On the grounds of American University on the side of the Graydon Building that faces the quad. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4400 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20016, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: School of International Service (within shouting distance of this marker); Battelle Memorial Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Jeju Dolhareubang (within shouting distance of this marker); Korean Cherry Trees (within shouting distance of this marker); John Fletcher Hurst (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. Navy Bomb Disposal School (within shouting distance of this marker); September 11 Memorial (about 400 feet
Mary Eliza Graydon Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 27, 2018
2. Mary Eliza Graydon Marker
away, measured in a direct line); Birthplace of the Army Chemical Corps (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
 
The Graydon Building image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 27, 2018
3. The Graydon Building
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 577 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on May 27, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 19, 2026