 The relationship between the City of Washington , Pennsylvania , and Washington & Jefferson College spans over two centuries , dating to the founding of both the city and the college in the 1780s . The relationship between the town and college were strong enough that the citizens of Washington offered a $ 50 @,@ 000 donation in 1869 to the college in a successful attempt to lure the Washington & Jefferson College trustees to select Washington over nearby Canonsburg as the consolidated location of the college . However , the relationship was strained through the latter half of the 20th century , as the college pursued an expansion policy that clashed with the residential neighborhood . The college 's frustrations grew after preservationists unsuccessfully attempted to pass laws prohibiting the college from demolishing certain buildings that were listed on the East Washington Historic District . Relations were so bad that residents and college officials engaged in a shouting match at a meeting . Local preservationists also unsuccessfully tried to block the demolition of Hays Hall , which had been condemned . 
