Many of us, at one time or another, have been faced with the task of explaining the history of the College of William and Mary’s buildings during visits from friends and family. Because of this, having an understanding of campus history is beneficial — none of us want to awkwardly search Wikipedia for what many would assume is campus “common knowledge.” The College’s history is, of course, also fascinating in its own right — though, admittedly, it can also at times be overwhelming. So, for those who are either too afraid to ask, too busy to research themselves, or just want the SparkNotes version, I compiled a list of what I believe to be the most important historical tidbits on campus landmarks. To compile these brief histories, I utilised multiple sources, including Encyclopedia Britannica for information regarding early Virginia history, the College’s website, Tribe Trek, and Earl Gregg Swem Library’s Digital Archives, for information specific to the College.

The Meridian Coffee House is a student-run organization that acts as a venue for the music and art scene at the College of William and Mary. Below is the account of Gavin Aquin Hernández and Carmen Honker’s first time experiencing live music at the venue during Homecoming Weekend 2019.

Walking into the Brafferton at the College of William and Mary, it is clear that President Katherine Rowe has already made her mark after just one year at the College. She points out the art that covers her walls, from an Auguste Rodin sculpture to calligraphy piece drawn by students. According to Rowe, each is equal in value. She speaks thoughtfully, clearly aware of her significance in the community.

In the middle of a lukewarm night about a month ago, a group of friends and I trespassed onto the Crim Dell Amphitheatre. Crossing the triple-layered yellow rope felt how I’d imagine stepping into a boxing ring for a welterweight bout might feel… Something on the other end of those menacing “DANGER DO NOT ENTER” signs fastened to the rope I found a bit ironic: no clear and obvious sense of impending doom.

I began this story with pretty close to an outsider’s perspective on Williamsburg’s bar scene. I enjoy going out occasionally, but large crowds of loud people often make me uncomfortable rather than helping me let loose, and I tend to stick to the fruity-mixed-drinks-and-wine section of most drinks menus. In other words, I am not used to bar crawls.

This summer, I spent 31 days volunteering with the College of William and Mary’s American-Bosnian Collaboration Project in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Project, the oldest international service trip at the College, began in 1998 when a visiting Bosnian scholar visited campus to teach a course about Yugoslavia’s political disintegration.

Clique clique,
The white shone bright,
The politest of no's,
We don't accept you tonight.

The world outside furiously rolls along the pane of laminated glass like snapshots on an everlasting film reel. For now, the sequence features an anonymous roadside corn field, but that’s bound to change as we move along the road.