St. John's College, Annapolis

St. John’s College is one of the oldest colleges in the United States. Its history began in 1696 with the founding of King William’s School, created to provide classical education during the colonial period. In 1784 the Maryland legislature reorganized it as St. John’s College. The school later became connected with early plans for a national university supported by George Washington.

Several historic buildings on the campus show how the college developed over time. One of the most important is McDowell Hall, completed in 1789 and still used for teaching today. The brick building follows the Georgian style, with tall windows and a balanced front design. Over time, more buildings were added, creating a small campus with open lawns and shaded walkways.

The college is known for its “Great Books” program. Instead of many majors, all students study the same group of classic works from literature, philosophy, science, and mathematics. Classes are based on discussion, and students read texts by writers such as Plato, Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, and Albert Einstein. The college also hosts public lectures, concerts, and other events that visitors can attend.