University of Connecticut Historic District

The University of Connecticut Historic District contains about 23 masonry buildings constructed between 1906 and 1942 in various architectural styles. The structures are situated along Whitney and Gilbert Roads and combine Collegiate Gothic, Colonial Revival, and Classical Revival designs.

The institution was founded in 1881 as an agricultural school and began major expansion in 1906 with new construction. The name changed to Connecticut State College in 1933 and then to University of Connecticut in 1939.

The buildings display different architectural styles from various periods, reflecting how educational architecture evolved over time. You can observe how construction approaches changed from Collegiate Gothic to Classical Revival designs.

The district is best explored on foot with most buildings located nearby along marked pathways. It is advisable to bring protection against rain and walk slowly as the terrain has gentle slopes.

Landscape architect Charles N. Lowrie designed a comprehensive master plan around 1906 that guided where all buildings were placed. This early-developed site plan is considered among the first of its kind for a public university.