Rackham Auditorium

Rackham Auditorium has been the site of many numerous notable lectures, performances, and academic symposia in the 60-plus years since its opening. Horace H. Rackham was a Detroit lawyer whose will awarded the University of Michigan funds to build the Rackham Graduate School, which houses Rackham Auditorium, and to establish a $4 million endowment for graduate studies—a remarkable gift considering neither Horace nor his wife Mary attended the U-M. Designed in the classical renaissance style by architect William Kapp of the Detroit firm of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, the Rackham Building is considered to be one of the most historically significant buildings on campus. The building also contains splendid conference rooms and a 240-seat amphitheater. The interior of Rackham Auditorium which seats approximately 1044, is plush, with beautifully upholstered seating and a gold-leaf ceiling.