Founded in 1701, Yale University is a private ivy league research university in New Haven, Connecticut . It is the third-oldest institution of higher education in USA and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. We visited this university in July 2021 on a half day trip from Hartford.
- New Haven Green
- Sterling Memorial Library
- Sterling Law Building
- Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
- The New Haven Free Public Library
- Repertory Theatre
- Battell Chapel
- Harkness Tower
- Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall
- New Haven City Hall
- Richard C. Lee U.S. Courthouse
- New Haven County Courthouse
Yale University, New Haven Green – adjacent to Yale University and bordered by the university’s buildings, this is a good place to start your walking tour of the university. New Haven Green is one of the oldest town greens in the United States. It was first established as a public marketplace in 1638. The 16-acre green is home to churches, city hall, free public library etc.
Yale University, Sterling Memorial Library – is the largest library at Yale University and contains about four million volumes in the humanities, social sciences, area studies, as well as several special collections projects and the department of Manuscripts and Archives. The Irving S. Gilmore Music Library resides within Sterling Library
Yale University, Sterling Law Building – houses the Yale Law School. The Law Building was built in 1931 and models after the English Inns of Court. In contains classrooms, offices, a law library, a dining hall, a day-care center, and a courtyard. The building is named after Yale alumnus and benefactor John William Sterling, name partner of the New York law firm Shearman & Sterling.
Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library – Opened in 1963, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library is the library’s principal repository of rare and historical books and manuscripts. It holds approximately 800,000 volumes, including a Gutenberg Bible and the papers and manuscripts of major authors and artists, with particular strengths in American literature.
The New Haven Free Public Library (NHFPL) – This library is located on the New Haven Green within walking distance of all the Yale University main academic buildings. It is the public library system serving New Haven. The system began in 1887 in a leased location but quickly outgrew its space. The neo-Georgian building was constructed in 1911 and renovated and expanded in 1990.
Yale University, Repertory Theatre – was founded by Robert Brustein, dean of Yale School of Drams, in 1966, with the goal of facilitating a meaningful collaboration between theatre professionals and talented students. In the process it has become one of the first distinguished regional theatres. Located at the edge of Yale’s main downtown campus, it occupies the former Calvary Baptist Church.
Yale University, Battell Chapel – Named after Joseph Battell (1774 – 1841), a wealthy merchant and philanthropist, the chapel was built between 1874 and 1876.
Battell Chapel, which seats 850 people, is used today for many different religious services. The University Church in Yale holds Sunday services there at 10:30 am, and the space has also been used for Muslim Iftar meals during Ramadan, Jewish high holidays, Buddhist programs, and monthly gatherings of Yale’s evangelical Christian groups. The chapel is also used as a venue for concerts, lectures and other events from groups throughout Yale and the local community.
Yale University, Harkness Tower – Yale is home to many iconic landmarks and buildings. The Harkness Tower is a prominent Gothic structure standing tall at 216 feet. It is a masonry tower that serves as symbol of Yale and New Haven. The tower was completed in 1917 (the 216 feet are for the 216 years between 1701 – when Yale was founded – and 1917).
You can climb the tower on a guided tour. Inside the tower you’ll find 284 winding step that go up nine stories. Halfway up the tower are four beautiful blue clock faces – one on each side. Everyday the clock chimes the hour, and students in the Guild of Carillonneurs will use the playing console of the 54-bell carillon to play music.
Yale University, Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall – is the main administrative building of Yale University, New Haven.
New Haven City Hall – This is another beautiful building on Church Street facing the New Haven Green. The New Haven City Hall is one of the country’s earliest and finest designs in the High Victorian style. Built in 1861, it is the work of Henry Austin, and contains an elaborate iron staircase. The polychrome façade in various sandstone and limestone shades was restored in 1976. The historic façade was incorporated into the updated City Hall in 1993-1994.
Richard C. Lee U.S. Courthouse – formerly known as the New Haven U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, this impressive building that has columns with Corinthian capitals, is located on Church Street facing the New Haven Green and was constructed between 1913-1919 as the city’s second federal building. The post office moved to another location in 1979.
The Richard C. Lee U.S. Courthouse serves the federal courts in the district of Connecticut.
New Haven County Courthouse – Another impressive building facing the New Haven Green, this courthouse was built in 1917 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 16, 2003. Its primary function remains as a courthouse for local and county legal proceedings.
