The early Italianate Downey House, on the corner of Court Street and High Street in Middletown, represents the transition from the Greek Revival to the Italian villa style. It was built in 1841-1842 for Elihu W. N. Starr, a member of a well known family of sword and gun manufacturers, but was sold to the son of Samuel Russell in 1853. It was later used (1889-1911) as the Misses Patten’s School for girls and was purchased by Wesleyan University in 1922. It was named Downey House in honor of Dr. David G. Downey, a president of the University’s board of trustees.
Downey House (1842)