McKeldin Mall facts for kids
McKeldin Mall is a huge, open green space right in the middle of the University of Maryland, College Park campus. It's like a giant park where students can relax, study, or hang out. This beautiful area is named after Theodore McKeldin, who used to be the Governor of Maryland. McKeldin Mall is super special because it's the biggest academic "quad" or open campus area in the whole United States. Many people think it's one of the prettiest college quads anywhere!
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What is McKeldin Mall Like?
McKeldin Mall stretches from the Main Administration building on one side to McKeldin Library on the other. This library is the main one on campus. Along the sides of the mall, you'll find many university buildings. These buildings are home to different subjects like social sciences, arts, humanities, and agriculture.
In the eastern part of the mall, there's a long, rectangular fountain. It's about 16 feet wide and 250 feet long! This fountain honors special members of the university's `Omicron Delta Kappa` society. Right in the middle of the mall, near the fountain, you'll see a sundial. This sundial honors Uco van Wijk, a Dutch astronomer who started the university's astronomy program.
If you stand at the front of McKeldin Library and look across the mall towards the Administration Building, you'll spot `Testudo`. Testudo is the friendly mascot of the University of Maryland! The mall got a big makeover in 1990 to make it even better.
Buildings Around the Mall
Many important university buildings are located around McKeldin Mall. Here are some of them:
Buildings on the Northern Side
- Symons Hall
- Edward St. John Teaching and Learning Center
- H.J. Patterson Hall
- Jimenez Hall
Buildings on the Southern Side
- Marie Mount Hall
- Woods Hall
- Francis Scott Key Hall
- Tydings Hall
- Journalism Building
The Peace Garden: A Special Place
Between the Main Administration Building and the ODK Fountain on McKeldin Mall, you'll find a quiet spot called the Peace Garden. This garden was created to remember the people who were affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks.
On September 12, 2001, people placed flowers along the ODK Fountain as a memorial. The Peace Garden now marks the place where those flowers were later buried. A special plaque in the garden tells its story. It includes a message that says, "May Peace Prevail on Earth."
Images for kids
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The sundial, in front of McKeldin Library.
