Historic Buildings of Connecticut

Exploring the Nutmeg State One Building at a Time

Collegiate

Olin Memorial Library (1928)

Rich Hall, dedicated in 1868, served as Wesleyan University‘s library until Olin Memorial Library was built in 1928. Henry Bacon, who was serving as Wesleyan’s advisory architect, made preliminary sketches for the new library in 1923, less than a year after the dedication of his most famous building, the Lincoln Memorial. Bacon died in 1924 and his ideas were passed on to the firm of McKim, Mead & White. The Library was built in 1925-1927 and dedicated in 1928. The following year, the street just south of Olin Library was moved further south to make room for a large front lawn. In anticipation of the need for future expansion of the Library, the north facade of the building, facing Andrus Field, was left unadorned and had a wall that could be easily removed. The anticipated rear expansion of the library stack area occurred in 1938. Another expansion was constructed in 1983-1986, with a modern addition cleverly designed by the firm of Perry, Dean, Rogers & Partners of Boston to wrap around and enclose the earlier expansion of 1938.

Psi Upsilon, Wesleyan University (1893)

Psi Upsilon, the fifth oldest college fraternity in the United States, was founded at Union College in 1833. The Xi chapter was established at Wesleyan University in 1843 and the fraternity’s building was constructed in 1893. The Dutch Renaissance Revival building was designed by Colin C. Wilson and constructed of yellow Perth Amboy brick.

Ingalls Hockey Rink (1957)

The Ingalls Hockey Rink at Yale, designed by Eero Saarinen and built in 1957, is constructed of concrete with a suspended aluminum roof. The building is significant for inaugurating a period of modern architecture construction in New Haven. Ingalls Hockey Rink has also been used for public meetings and two two bombs were set off in the basement on May Day, 1970, during the New Haven Black Panther Trials, The building, also known as the “Yale Whale,” has recently undergone extensive renovations. Here is a video of the interior: (more…)

Phelps Hall, Yale University (1895)

Phelp’s Hall, designed to resemble a massive Tudor gatehouse, was built in 1895 as the grand entry to Yale’s Old Campus. Designed by Charles C. Haight, it was the last structure built along the row of Yale buildings facing New Haven Green, which was once occupied by the Old Brick Row. With the exception of Connecticut Hall, the earliest buildings of the Old Campus, including Brick Row, were replaced in the later nineteenth century, with the Gothic Revival style now dominating the campus.

Patricelli ’92 Theater (1868)

Wesleyan University‘s Patricelli ’92 Theater was originally called Rich Hall and was built in 1868 as the college library. It was designed by Henry Austin and David Russell Brown. In 1928, Olin Library opened and Rich Hall was converted to become a theater, funded by a donation from the class of 1892. The theater was renovated in 2003 with a gift from Robert Patricelli (’61) in honor of Leonard J. Patricelli (’29). Wesleyan’s student-run theater, Second Stage, is based in the theater.

Old Yale University Art Gallery (1927)

Historic Buildings of Connecticut’s fiftieth entry for New Haven is the old Yale University Art Gallery building, designed by Egerton Swartwout a Yale graduate, in a Gothic style called “Tuscan Romanesque.” Built along Chapel Street in 1927, the Art Gallery is connected to the earlier Street Hall (1864), across High Street, by a distinctive bridge. Swatwout planned a further extension of the building, but this original plan was not completed; instead the museum was expanded in 1953 with the construction of the modern-style new Art Gallery building, designed by Louis I. Kahn. Until recently, the bridge over High Street contained faculty offices, but it will soon be renovated, in the continuation of a Gallery plan which has already resulted in the restoration of the Kahn building. This work will expand the Art Gallery across the bridge and into Street Hall. (more…)

Fayerweather Gymnasium (1894)

Wesleyan University‘s Fayerweather Gymnasium was built in 1894. Funds for its construction were provided through a bequest from Daniel B. Fayerweather, who was not otherwise connected to Wesleyan, but who was inspired to donate to Methodist institutions. Designed by J. Cleaveland Cady, the Romanesque Revival style building had later additions, including a 1913 east wing, built to accommodate a swimming pool, and a rear addition in 1979. No longer used as a gymnasium, Fayerweather Hall has recently been restored to its 1894 dimensions to complement the adjacent construction of the new Usdan University Center.