National Register of Historic Places: Connecticut Hall - Yale University

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Connecticut Hall

Yale University

New Haven, CT
Topic: National Register of Historic Places

N 41° 18.479 W 072° 55.729

Quick Description: 

Connecticut Hall is located on the Old Campus of Yale University in New Haven, CT.

Long Description:

The symmetrical Georgian style Connecticut Hall was built from 1752 - 1753 to serve as a dormitory; it is the oldest surviving building on the Yale campus. All the other 18th century structures of the Old Brick Row were razed after Civil War.

Connecticut Hall was built under the direction of the President of Yale University, Thomas Clap. The Georgian design, by Francis Letort and Thomas Bills, was inspired by Massachusetts Hall on the campus of Harvard University. The original building is 100' long by 40' wide, and three storeys high. It was later enlarged to its present day four storeys.

The building was slated for demolition early in the 20th century but was saved by the efforts of the Alumni in 1905. Many famous persons lived in Connecticut Hall while attending Yale University. The patriot Nathan Hale is perhaps the most famous. The inventor Eli Whitney, artist John Trumbull, and dictionary publisher Noah Webster also lived there.

Street address: Yale University 1017 Chapel Street New Haven, CT United States 06510 County / Borough / Parish: New Haven Year listed: 1966 Historic significance: Education, Architecture Period of significance: 1750-1799 Historic function: Education Current function: Education Privately owned?: yes