Russell Henry Chittenden House, historic house in Connecticut, US
The Russell Henry Chittenden House is a three-story brick building in New Haven with an asymmetrical shape, gabled dormers, and a square shingled tower at one corner. The exterior displays American Queen Anne style features with tall chimneys, varied rooflines, and projecting sections, while the interior retains original decorative details and ornamental moldings.
The house was completed in 1887 and purchased by Russell Henry Chittenden, a biochemistry pioneer who lived here until his death in 1943. Chittenden returned from training in Germany in 1879 and conducted groundbreaking research on digestion and enzymes that shaped nutrition science.
The name refers to Russell Henry Chittenden, a scientist who lived and worked here. The house stands in the Hillhouse Avenue Historic District, a neighborhood with many historic buildings that reflect the architectural style of the late 1800s.
The house is located near Yale University campus and is easily accessible on foot, with other historic buildings nearby to explore. The exterior is well preserved and the neighborhood allows for a pleasant walk through the historic district.
Chittenden experimented with his own diet, significantly reducing his daily calorie and protein intake to show that the body needs less food than commonly believed. His unconventional self-experiments continue to shape understanding of nutritional requirements today.
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