King's College (Columbia) Site
New York, New York, New York
Marker Inscription
King's College Founded by Royal Charter in 1754 in the reign of George I and re-established in 1784 by the people of the State of New York under the name of Columbia College occupied this site from August 1755 to May 1857
The Story
Founded by royal charter in 1754, King's College held its first classes on this Lower Manhattan site beginning in 1755. After the Revolution, the people of New York re-established it in 1784 under a new name, Columbia College. The institution occupied this ground until 1857 before moving uptown.
Why it matters
It marks the birthplace of Columbia University, one of the nation's oldest institutions of higher learning and an intellectual cradle of the founding era.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Cloud Gallery0.1 mi away
- MĒRCER LABS0.2 mi away · 21 Dey Street
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum0.2 mi away · 180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY
- Bureau0.3 mi away · 112 Duane Street
- Hall des Lumières0.3 mi away · 49 Chambers Street, New York, NY
- Gerben Fine Art0.3 mi away
Attractions
- Woolworth Building0.1 mi away
- Saint Paul's Chapel0.1 mi away · 209 Broadway, New York, NY
- One World Trade Center0.2 mi away · 285 Fulton Street, New York, NY
- Site of the Beach Pneumatic Subway0.2 mi away · 1 Murray Street
- Barthman's Sidewalk Clock0.2 mi away · Maiden Lane
- New York City Police Memorial0.4 mi away
Food & drink
- Maman1.2 mi away
- Bluestone Lane1.3 mi away
- Sweetgreen1.3 mi away
- Yaso1.3 mi away · 30 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ
- Semicolon Cafe1.3 mi away
- Krispy Pizza1.3 mi away · 33 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ
Places to stay
- M Social Hotel New York Downtown0.1 mi away · 55 Church Street, New York, NY
- Residence Inn New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center Area0.2 mi away · 170 Broadway, New York, NY
- Holiday Inn0.3 mi away · 51 Nassau Street
- The Cloud One New York-Downtown0.3 mi away · 133 Greenwich Street, New York, NY
- World Center Hotel0.3 mi away · 144 Washington Street, New York, NY
- Club Quarters Hotel at World Trade Center0.3 mi away · 140 Washington Street, New York, NY
Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hours and details change — call ahead.
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Related events
- · Founding of King's College, 1754
- · Re-establishment as Columbia College, 1784
Themes & tags
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