Cornell University

This institution in Ithaca occupies rolling terrain with buildings in varied styles, from stone halls with pointed arches to modern structures made of glass and concrete. Green lawns separate lecture centers, libraries, research labs, and student housing, all connected by pathways and stairways that rise and fall with the landscape, opening views across the valley below.

Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White established the institution in 1865, opening it initially to male students who could choose from courses in both sciences and humanities. Over the following decades, the institution admitted women and gradually expanded its colleges and research centers, shaping the mixed architectural character visible today.

Lecture halls and open-air quads host gatherings where people meet to discuss, study, or simply walk between classes on paths lined with old trees. You might see students playing instruments outside dormitories or carrying science equipment across the lawns, giving a sense of daily life shaped by learning and exchange.

You can walk through the grounds freely, though some buildings require permission or are open only during certain hours on weekdays. Maps at entrances and online help navigate between colleges, museums, and gardens, making it easier to plan a route if you have limited time.

Hydroelectric generators powered the lights here beginning in 1883, making this one of the first campuses in North America to use electricity from water. Visitors today can see outdoor sculptures and botanical collections placed throughout the grounds, freely accessible without needing special entry.

Location: Ithaca

Inception: 1865

Founders: Ezra Cornell, Andrew Dickson White

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

Industry: higher education

Operator: Cornell University

Address: 300 Day Hall, Ithaca, NY, 14853

Website: https://cornell.edu

GPS coordinates: 42.44917,-76.48389

Latest update: December 2, 2025 21:09