Oberlin College
Also known as: Oberlin Collegiate Institute
Why it's listed
Tappan Square is the ten-acre green at the center of Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. It occupies the heart of the original campus of the Oberlin Collegiate Institute, which opened in December 1833 with thirty students and two instructors. Its first two buildings, Tappan Hall and the College Chapel, were razed around 1858, and conditions on college endowments now prevent any new building on the square. Trees fill the space, and a plaque marks where the Historic Elm stood before disease claimed it. A memorial gateway honoring First World War service and a monument to the entry of women, both from 1937, stand nearby. The property was recognized because Oberlin made the education of Black students a matter of policy, admitted four women in 1837 to begin collegiate co-education, and became a center of abolitionist activity before the Civil War. The Conservatory of Music has operated there since 1867.
Significance in brief: Oberlin was a leader in nineteenth-century social reform, making the education of Black students institutional policy and beginning collegiate co-education in the United States in 1837. Although no early buildings survive, Tappan Square keeps its original dimensions and marks the site of the first institution. A 1937 monument and memorial gateway commemorate its role in education.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000615, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Tappan Sq., Oberlin |
|---|---|
| County | Lorain County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000615 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1833-1860 |
| Areas of significance | Social History |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 21, 1965 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Tappan Square has no buildings; endowment conditions prevent construction on it. Condition is marked good and altered. The Historic Elm, recently lost to disease, is marked by a small plaque. |
| Acreage | 13 |
| Coordinates | 41.29289, -82.21866 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000615.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q616591
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.