New Haven is a town along the Long Island Sound of Connecticut’s Atlantic coast whose history dates back to 1638 when it was established by Puritans. Unfortunately, little of New Haven’s original colonial character survives. Whereas the town was once more industrial and business-oriented, New Haven today is primarily an educational town, home to a leading national educational center. In the heart of its downtown, you’ll find the world-renowned Yale University, hidden behind ivy clad brick walls that line the streets. The entrance leads visitors onto a series of grassy courtyards.[1]
Founded in 1701, Yale today has more than 5,300 undergraduate students and another 6,000 graduate students. Faculty is around 3,300 and the stuff exceeds 10,000. All told, Yale is itself a small city. The campus architecture is a medley of Gothic elements, employing arches, towers, spires, turrets, stained glass, and leaded windows.[2]
Yale is famous for its libraries and art museums, which are considered must attractions for any trip to New Haven. The Yale University Art Gallery was founded on the gift of John Trumbull, Jr. who donated 100 paintings including originals of The Battle of Bunker Hill and the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. In exchange for his paintings, the University gave Trumbull a retainer and the use of a studio for the remainder of his life.[3]
The Art Gallery at 1111 Chapel Street is a must. It boasts an impressive collection of French Impressionist paintings, 13th to 16th century Italian paintings, and 19th and mid-20th century American art.[4]
For one of the finest and most complete collections of British art outside of Great Britain, visit the Yale Center for British Art. Located at 1080 Chapel Street, it was established through the philanthropy of Paul Mellon who donated his personal collection of British Art. The Peabody museum at 170 Whitney Avenue is another notable. It has on display examples of dinosaurs, animals, and plants that lived eons ago.[5]
Be sure to check out the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at 121 Wall Street. It has one of the few remaining Gutenberg Bibles, as well as many other rare and old books. The Sterling Memorial Library, which is the main library at Yale, is the second largest of any university in the U.S., second to Harvard. It is located at 120 High Street and has over 9 million volumes. The library is set behind elaborate stained glass windows. There is a kaleidoscope that lets in light into the reading room.[6]
References:
Chase, Suzi Forbes, and Ann Lee. New England. New York: Macmillan General Reference, 1994. ISBN: 0671878999.
[1] Chase, 181
[2] Id. at 183
[3] Id.
[4] Id. at 184
[5] Id.
[6] Id. at 184-85
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