Discover the 5 Oldest Schools in Pennsylvania

There’s so much to respect and admire about a state like Pennsylvania. It’s one of the best states in which to live for folks who care about the rich cultural history of the United States of America. Back in 1909, the first-ever baseball stadium was built in Pittsburgh. The first computer was built in Philadelphia in 1946. The first American-built piano was created in 1776, right there in Philly as well. A year later, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed in the famous state. The first public animal display in America was the Philadelphia Zoo, and the first daily newspaper was published there in 1784. The Chocolate Capital of the U.S. still happens to be Hershey, PA.

With so many intriguing moments in Pennsylvania history, it makes sense that people would be curious about the state’s oldest schools. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the five oldest colleges in Pennsylvania.

1. The University of Pennsylvania

Construction began in 1740 at the University of Pennsylvania. It first opened its doors in 1751, though they were aiming for an earlier start date. Benjamin Franklin is part of the reason why the institution was finally able to open. Two years after investing in the University of Pennsylvania, it was open for business. Benjamin had big dreams for this school. He wanted the students enrolled there to learn all about business and other crucial aspects of life. America’s first medical college came out of this college in 1874. Interestingly enough, the University of Pennsylvania is the first American school to be labeled a “university” rather than just a school or college.

2. Moravian College

Followers of the Moravian Church decided to branch out into the world of education in the 1700s. In 1742, Moravian College was founded by the same people who originally settled in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The founder, Bishop John Amos Comenius, had some serious goals in mind. He hoped to develop a school that would offer practical and logical training to all students enrolled. He wanted the school to be accessible to everyone who was in need of an education. Three separate schools were launched in the beginning — two for young men and one for young women. By 1759, the schools for boys merged together. In 1954, the girls’ school merged with the boys’ school as well. Artsy performances and musical productions that honor the Moravian heritage still take place today.

3. Dickinson College

Dickinson College has been around since 1773. It didn’t start as a college, though. In the beginning, Dickinson was a grammar school for youngsters. By the time 1783 rolled around, a man named Benjamin Rush started trying to make some massive changes. He was a physician who also signed the United States Declaration of Independence. One of the big goals of Dickinson College was to educate students about the court system and judicial process. Students interested in law could find the education they were seeking at Dickinson. Science students also thrived due to study sessions that took place in the Appalachian Mountains nearby. Dickinson College is the first college to be officially chartered in the USA following the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

4. Washington and Jefferson College

In 1781, Washington Academy, which eventually became Washington College, was founded. Jefferson College didn’t enter the scene until 1806. When these two western Pennsylvanian schools decided to merge together in 1865, Washington and Jefferson College was born. Washington and Jefferson College is a liberal arts college with an impressive list of majors and minors. Some of the most popular bachelor’s degree programs include business/commerce, psychology, English language and literature, history, and neuroscience.

5. Franklin and Marshall College and University of Pittsburgh

Franklin and Marshall College was once called Franklin College. It was an ode to Benjamin Franklin, whose monetary generosity was the reason the school was built. Marshall College relocated to Lancaster in 1853, leading to a merger of Franklin and Marshall College. The University of Pittsburgh was later included in the merger. Keep in mind that the University of Pittsburgh started small. It was just a tiny one-room log cabin in 1787. Things definitely changed! Female students were welcome to enroll in 1898.