Early Campus

The University of Pennsylvania was founded in Old City, Philadelphia, on the corner of 4th & Arch St. Construction of what would serve as the first building (left) began in 1740. The building was originally designed as a church for George Whitefield but was left unfinished when he and many of his supporters left Philadelphia. In 1750, the Trustees of Benjamin Franklin's Academy purchased the building for the school's campus. Robert Smith was hired to repurpose the church for classrooms. Although classes began in 1751, Smith did not complete the renovations for another four years. Smith subsequently completed several other projects for the university, including building the dormitory (right) in 1763. As Penn's campus expanded to 9th and Market, students took classes, founded societies, published student magazines, and hosted debates—all part of the campus culture that would relocate to West Philadelphia in 1870.