Established in 1753 as a plantation called West Hoosuck, Williamstown is most widely recognized as the home of Williams College, a liberal arts school of significant prestige that was chartered over 200 years ago. The city is also known for its cultural attractions, perhaps the most interesting of which is the Chapin Library of Rare Books, where several founding documents of the United States are on display, including original printings of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Fans of the theater have the chance to catch over 200 performances of classical and new plays during the Williamstown Theatre Festival, an annual event that runs from mid June to late August. The city's Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute boasts an extensive collection of French impressionist art, including several paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir.