Columbia University, University in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, United States
Columbia University is a private university in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York. Its campus spans several city blocks and features buildings in an Italian Renaissance style arranged around a central courtyard set slightly above street level.
The university was founded in 1754 as King's College under a royal charter from King George II, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country. After independence, it was renamed in 1784, and eventually moved to its current location in Morningside Heights in 1897.
The "Alma Mater" sculpture in front of Low Memorial Library serves as a natural meeting point on campus. Students from around the world pass by daily, making the surrounding steps a social spot for conversation and study breaks.
The campus is open to visitors and easy to walk through on foot, with the central esplanade serving as a natural starting point for exploration. Guided tours are offered regularly and provide helpful context about the buildings and their stories.
The Low Memorial Library, the most recognizable building on campus, has not functioned as a library since 1934 and now serves as an administrative center and museum. It was donated by former university president Seth Low in memory of his father.
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