Before you even step inside Suzzallo’s famous Reading Room, it already feels like you're entering a world of magic.
There’s grand spiral staircases that lead you toward the entrance and all I can think was “Yep... i’m in Hogwarts.” but once I walked through the doors, my jaw dropped!
The first thing I noticed was the stained-glass windows stretching down the room, filling the space with soft light. Lucky me it was a beautiful day in Seattle, so the sun rays were beaming all through the room. Then my eyes wandered upward to the soaring wooden ceiling before settling on the endless rows of oak bookcases and long wooden tables filled with students quietly studying. The room was almost completely silent, but not in an intimidating way. It felt very peaceful. Like everyone had collectively agreed this space deserved a little extra love and respect.
Then I looked to my left and giggled. Sitting on one of the shelves directly next to me was an entire row of old Harry Potter books. It felt almost too perfect for a room that's quite literally become famous for looking like something straight out of the wizarding world.
The more I wandered, the more details I noticed. Those beautiful stained-glass windows that immediately caught my attention? There are circular symbols woven throughout the glass that are actually reproductions of Renaissance-era papermakers' watermarks, a tribute to the history of books and printing hidden in plain sight. There are massive hanging globes that aren't just there to look impressive either. They're hand-painted with the names of famous explorers like Marco Polo, Leif Erikson, Magellan, Vasco da Gama, and Henry Hudson, quietly celebrating centuries of exploration and discovery. Even the intricate wood carvings surrounding the room tell a story. Instead of generic decorative patterns, they feature native Pacific Northwest plants like Douglas fir, salal, trillium, and wild rose, grounding this grand Gothic space in Washington itself.
One detail I almost missed was a bronze plaque beneath one of the globes honoring Thomas Roch Roddy, a University of Washington graduate remembered as "a scholar, a gentleman of letters, and an ardent supporter of education." It felt like the perfect place to remember someone whose life revolved around learning.
What I appreciated most, though, was how lively it felt despite the silence. Every table was occupied. Students were reading, writing papers, highlighting textbooks, typing away on laptops, and preparing for whatever came next. It wasn't just beautiful architecture; it was still serving the exact purpose it was built for nearly a century ago. Of course, there were also plenty of visitors like me, quietly taking it all in before heading back out onto campus. I couldn't help but think that if I'd gone to school here, this would've been my go-to spot hands down.
Suzzallo's Reading Room has earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful libraries in the country. The Hogwarts comparisons may be what draw people in, but they're only the beginning. Look a little closer, and you'll find a room where nearly every window, carving, and globe was designed to celebrate knowledge, exploration, and the joy of learning, and I think that's a little more magical than fiction.
