The Wren Building is the oldest building on the campus of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Along with the Brafferton and President's House, these buildings form the College's "Ancient Campus." With a construction history dating to 1695, it is the oldest academic building still standing in the United States and among the oldest buildings in Virginia. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
The front of the Wren Building
The rear of the Wren Building
A reconstruction of an original classroom in the Wren Building
Earliest known drawing of the building by Swiss traveler François-Louis Michel, 1702
College of William & Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia, is a public research university in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded in 1693 under a royal charter issued by King William III and Queen Mary II, it is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and the ninth-oldest in the English-speaking world. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High Research Activity". In his 1985 book Public Ivies: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities, Richard Moll included William & Mary as one of the original eight "Public Ivies". The university is also one of the original nine colonial colleges.
King William III and Queen Mary II, the college's namesakes
James Blair, founder of William & Mary
The College Building as it appeared from 1859–1862 with Italianate towers
The Wren Building, c. 1902