Founded in 1636 by the colonial Massachusetts legislature, Harvard University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. The main campus is centered on Harvard Yard in central Cambridge, a unique community with a strong mix of cultural and social diversity, intellectual vitality, and technological innovation. The campus also extends into the surrounding Harvard Square neighborhood, with note-worthy restaurants and shops. Harvard University’s 80-plus libraries, museums, diverse landscapes, and architecture set the tone for this no-nonsense learning superstructure.