The orchard that became a university

Old Queens sits on a six-acre hilltop that used to be an apple orchard. In 1807, James Parker, Jr. donated the land to the trustees of Queen's College. The college had already survived a period of closure and a relocation from a local tavern, but it needed a permanent headquarters. The trustees chose the orchard, transforming it into the Queens Campus.

Architect John McComb Jr. - the same man responsible for New York City Hall - designed the structure. He laid the cornerstone in 1809, but the college ran out of cash. It took until 1825 to actually finish the building. In those early days, the structure was a multitasker. It housed students, faculty, a library, and a shared chapel for three different institutions. It was basically a dormitory, a library, and a church rolled into one Federal-style building.

Today, it still serves as the university's administrative heart. It houses the president's office and the Board of Trustees. If you look at the cupola, you will find the Old Queens Bell. It was a gift from Colonel Henry Rutgers, and it is only rung for the big stuff, like commencement or a new president taking over. It is the oldest building at Rutgers, and it still holds the fort.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons