Harvard University is America’s oldest institution of higher learning, founded in 1636 before the United States even existed. On this walking tour, you’ll hear how a desperate Puritan colony’s need for literate ministers evolved into the world’s most prestigious university, and how it continues to shape American history.

This self-guided walking tour starts at the Harvard Student Center in Harvard Square. You’ll pass through the famous gates into Harvard Yard, where the oldest collegiate buildings in America still house students today. You’ll stroll through the historic campus, passing the iconic Widener Library with its tragic Titanic connection, the whispering arches of Sever Hall, and Memorial Church.