St. John's College

Photos Map Information: 60 College Avenue Annapolis, MD 21401 410-263-2371 www.stjohnscollege.edu Related Stories: SLIDESHOW: St. John's graduation SLIDESHOW: St. John's vs. Naval Academy croquet match St. John's College holds 216th commencement The real story behind the Annapolis Cup competition St. John's College receives $3.5 million gift Event spotlights St. John's campaign New symbol of freedom takes root at St. John's College St. John's hopes to raise $125M for improvements Advertisement

A mainstay of downtown Annapolis, St. John's College serves as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States. Founded in 1784, St. John's College provides its students with a rich history and an educational program that was - and still is - considered groundbreaking.

St. John's began as King William's School, which was founded in 1696, just two years after Annapolis was named the capital of the Maryland colony. It served as a preperatory school of sorts until St. John's founding over a century later. McDowell Hall was one of the first buildings to be added to the campus, after a dispute between Colonial Governor Thomas Bladen and the House of Delegates meant it would not be used as the governor's mansion. It was named for Dr. John McDowell, the first principal of the college.

St. John's is well-known for its Great Books educational program. Brought to the college by academics Stringfellow Barr and Scott Buchanan in 1937, Great Books requires that students study great, timeless classics of literature, spanning humanities, mathematics, science and language.

Makers of history have continually been involved with St. John's. Four of the school's founders - William Paca, Charles Carroll, Thomas Stone, and Samuel Chase - were all signers of the Declaration of Independence. Both George Washington's nephew and Francis Scott Key, the lyricist of the Star-Spangled Banner, were graduates of the college. Many state governors, state representatives, authors, and other famous figures have received their education at the school.

While much has changed on St. John's campus since its founding over two centuries ago, one thing had been there to watch over it all: the Liberty Tree. A 400-year-old tulip poplar, it served as a rallying point in the 1770s for colonial patriots who desired freedom from British rule. One of the school's most enduring symbols,the poplar was damaged severely during the strong winds and torrential rains of Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, and was ceremonially cut down a month later.

The generosity of St. John's Class of 2007, however, led to a new tulip poplar being planted in the same spot of the original. Its dedication took place April 21, 2007, right before the 25th annual croquet match between the "Johnnies" of St. John and the Midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy.