Pause for a moment here to admire the River Horse Statue. This bronze hippo resides on the campus of George Washington University. It stands proudly in front of Lisner Auditorium. You will find it at 21st Street and H Street.
This River Horse Statue has quite the story behind it. In 1996, George Washington University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg gifted it to the Class of 2000. The hippo’s mouth is wide open in a welcoming gesture. Notice how its nose is slightly worn. This wear comes from countless students and visitors rubbing it for good luck.
Let’s take a closer look at the plaque at the base of the River Horse Statue. It shares a whimsical legend. The legend claims that hippos once lived in the Potomac River. It even suggests that George and Martha Washington watched them from their porch at Mount Vernon. They believed the hippos brought good luck and enhanced fertility to their plantation. Children on the estate would try to touch the hippos’ noses for luck.
The plaque extends this wish for good fortune to the students of George Washington University. It states: “Art for wisdom, science for joy, politics for beauty, and a Hippo for hope.” This message encapsulates the university’s aspirations for its students.
Now, here’s a fun fact. Hippos are not native to North America. President Trachtenberg admitted that he invented the story. He created it as a playful addition to the River Horse Statue. However, there is a grain of truth in the connection to George Washington. Washington did explore purchasing a piece of agricultural equipment called a Hippopotamus. He hoped it would efficiently remove nutrient-rich soil from the Potomac. He wanted to use it as fertilizer for his fields.
Despite the fictional origin, the River Horse Statue has become an unofficial mascot of the university. Students dress up as hippos at sports events. Many consider rubbing its nose good luck. There have even been efforts to make the hippo the official mascot. So far, the school administrators have resisted this change.
The River Horse Statue remains a beloved symbol of George Washington University. It represents hope, luck, and a bit of playful whimsy. It also shows how a made-up story can create tradition. Take a moment to rub its nose. Who knows what good fortune it might bring? The River Horse Statue is more than just a sculpture. It’s a reminder that a little imagination can go a long way. It embodies the spirit of George Washington University.