Founded in 1901 by American Presbyterian missionaries as a boys’ elementary school (originally Silliman Institute), becoming a university in 1938 — the oldest Protestant university in the Philippines and one of the oldest American-founded universities in Asia. Main campus sits on the waterfront side of the city along Hibbard Avenue, roughly 62 hectares planted with hundreds of mature acacia trees. Silliman Hall, the oldest building on campus (built early 1900s from local coral block), houses the Anthropology Museum and carries National Landmark status. During WWII the Japanese occupation turned the campus into a garrison; some faculty relocated operations into the mountains to keep the university running. Free to walk the grounds even if not visiting the museum — widely described as one of the more attractive university campuses in the country.