Brown's History: A Timeline

Brown’s History: 1840-1849

This timeline chronicles more than 250 years of Brown University’s history.

These are key milestones from the 1840s.

vintage sepia image of a large stately stone building on a lawn

Rhode Island Hall Dedicated

Rhode Island Hall was named in tribute to Rhode Island residents, who donated half the funds for its construction. The building was initially devoted to the physical sciences, with lecture rooms on the first floor, a collection of minerals and other objects on the second, and a chemical laboratory in the basement.

September 4, 1840

Engineering Program Established

Established in 1847, Brown’s Engineering program was the first in the Ivy League and the third civilian engineering program in the country.

1847

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