Wren Building

The oldest college building still standing in the United States, begun in 1695 and named for Christopher Wren, to whom the design is traditionally though not securely attributed. It has burned three times — 1705, 1859, 1862 — and been rebuilt inside its original walls each time, which is a decent metaphor for the institution.

It housed the entire college in the early years: classrooms, chapel, dining hall and student rooms under one roof. Jefferson studied here. It was also the first building Rockefeller funded in the 1920s, making it the seed of the whole Williamsburg restoration. Queen Elizabeth II spoke from its balcony in 1957 to a crowd of 20,000, the largest gathering the town had seen.

Practical: open to visitors most days and free — the Great Hall, chapel and Blue Room are accessible, and student guides are often on hand. It anchors the western end of Duke of Gloucester Street, so it makes a natural start or finish to the walk.