Pratt Institute

Pratt Institute is a private university in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, that occupies approximately 25 acres combining Victorian buildings, sculpture gardens, and specialized art studios. The campus hosts six schools offering 22 undergraduate and 25 graduate programs focusing on architecture, design, fine arts, and liberal arts.

Charles Pratt founded the institution in 1887 to provide technical training for working men and women during the industrial revolution. The school began with evening classes for craftspeople and evolved into one of the leading art and design colleges in the United States.

The library originally served as Brooklyn's first public reading room, opening its doors to all city residents rather than only enrolled students. Today it maintains collections focused on art and design that remain available to researchers.

The campus is easy to explore on foot, as buildings sit close together and connect through pathways that also pass through the gardens. Visitors should note that some areas are restricted to enrolled students, while other parts of the grounds remain open during daytime hours.

A bronze cannon from Havana was installed at the entrance in 1899 and gave the athletic teams their name. The cannon came from the Spanish-American War period and was seen as a symbol connecting industry and education.

Location: Brooklyn

Inception: 1887

Founders: Charles Pratt

Industry: higher education

Address: 200 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11205

Website: https://pratt.edu

GPS coordinates: 40.69111,-73.96389

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:01