[1] On three sides is the campus of American University, while the fourth is occupied by the Nebraska Avenue Complex, a U.S. government facility.

The circle was constructed and landscaped in the 1930s to display the 27.5-foot (8.4 m) bronze, memorial statue of Artemas Ward.

[5] The president and fellows of Harvard University donated the $50,000 to cover the cost of the statue.

In 2017, the official name of the building was changed to Kerwin Hall after former university president Cornelius M.

[7][8] On the North side of the circle is American University's Katzen Arts Center.