Brown University, Providence (must see)

Brown University is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States. Founded in 1764, it was established with an unusually broad commitment to religious admission and moved to its present hilltop campus in 1770. The school took its current name in 1804, honoring merchant and benefactor Nicholas Brown.

The central campus is arranged around lawns, brick paths and a varied collection of historic buildings. University Hall, completed in 1770, is the oldest surviving campus structure, while Manning Hall presents a formal Greek Revival façade. Nearby, the Van Wickle Gates mark a ceremonial entrance used during Convocation and Commencement, and the Main Green remains the social and visual center of university life. Red-brick residence halls and later academic buildings extend beyond these central lawns.

Visitors can also explore Brown’s cultural side through outdoor sculpture, changing exhibitions and notable libraries. The John Hay Library holds rare books, manuscripts and university archives, although access to reading rooms and collections is controlled. Public artworks range from traditional monuments to modern commissions, including Martin Puryear’s Slavery Memorial, an iron-and-stone work acknowledging the university’s historical ties to slavery and the slave trade.

Brown is also known for its Open Curriculum, introduced more than fifty years ago, which allows undergraduates considerable freedom in shaping their studies. Tourists can walk through many outdoor areas independently, but interior access varies by building and academic schedule. Official campus tours generally require advance registration, while public art programs, exhibitions and library access should be checked before visiting.