Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven (must see)
The Yale University Art Gallery is located near the Old Campus Courtyard and less than two blocks from New Haven Green. It is an excellent place to spend a couple of hours or an entire afternoon. Every visitor to New Haven should stop by the Yale University Art Gallery for multiple reasons.
This gallery is the oldest art museum in the western hemisphere. It was established in 1832 after artist John Trumbull donated over 100 paintings to the university. His donated paintings include "Battle of Bunker Hill," "Declaration of Independence" and "Surrender of Lord Cornwallis," among others.
Trumbull also designed the original picture gallery, which was razed and replaced with a Tuscan Romanesque style building designed by Egerton Swartwout in 1928. It is now known as the Olde Yale Art Gallery Building.
The current main hall of the Yale University Art Gallery was designed by Louis Kahn in 1947. The Modern architectural style uses geometric shapes, including a tetrahedral ceiling and cylindrical staircase. This was the first Modernist building on the Yale University campus.
The gallery holds works from famed artists like Peter Paul Rubens, Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh. However, visitors won't just see European art. They will also be greeted with art from the Americas, Africa and Asia. The gallery has permanent exhibits of ancient art, sculpture, modern art and photography.
Traveling exhibits are often featured at the Yale University Art Gallery. Past exhibits have included a study on caricatures, ceremonial dress, global baroque and the art of light.
Why You Should Visit:
- To see the oldest art gallery in the western hemisphere
- To bask in art from throughout the ages
Tips:
Visitors are welcome to explore the gallery on their own. However, those seeking a docent-led tour should call in advance or check the website to ensure tours are available.
This gallery is the oldest art museum in the western hemisphere. It was established in 1832 after artist John Trumbull donated over 100 paintings to the university. His donated paintings include "Battle of Bunker Hill," "Declaration of Independence" and "Surrender of Lord Cornwallis," among others.
Trumbull also designed the original picture gallery, which was razed and replaced with a Tuscan Romanesque style building designed by Egerton Swartwout in 1928. It is now known as the Olde Yale Art Gallery Building.
The current main hall of the Yale University Art Gallery was designed by Louis Kahn in 1947. The Modern architectural style uses geometric shapes, including a tetrahedral ceiling and cylindrical staircase. This was the first Modernist building on the Yale University campus.
The gallery holds works from famed artists like Peter Paul Rubens, Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh. However, visitors won't just see European art. They will also be greeted with art from the Americas, Africa and Asia. The gallery has permanent exhibits of ancient art, sculpture, modern art and photography.
Traveling exhibits are often featured at the Yale University Art Gallery. Past exhibits have included a study on caricatures, ceremonial dress, global baroque and the art of light.
Why You Should Visit:
- To see the oldest art gallery in the western hemisphere
- To bask in art from throughout the ages
Tips:
Visitors are welcome to explore the gallery on their own. However, those seeking a docent-led tour should call in advance or check the website to ensure tours are available.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in New Haven. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Yale University Art Gallery on Map
Sight Name: Yale University Art Gallery
Sight Location: New Haven, USA (See walking tours in New Haven)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: New Haven, USA (See walking tours in New Haven)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in New Haven, Connecticut
Create Your Own Walk in New Haven
Creating your own self-guided walk in New Haven is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
New Haven Introduction Walking Tour
New Haven, Connecticut is widely known as the home to Yale University. However, the city isn't just a hip, university town. It is also full of history and sites that can't be found anywhere else.
The first planned city in the United States, New Haven boasts the easily maneuvered grid layout which makes it easy to navigate the city on foot. Situated at the center of this grid, New... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
The first planned city in the United States, New Haven boasts the easily maneuvered grid layout which makes it easy to navigate the city on foot. Situated at the center of this grid, New... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Yale University Walking Tour
Perhaps the main attraction that puts the picturesque town of New Haven, Connecticut, on the international tourist map is Yale University. Founded in 1701, this esteemed educational institution ranks among the oldest and most prestigious in the United States.
In addition to its academic excellence, and because of its age, Yale boasts a great deal of architectural beauty. A diverse range of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
In addition to its academic excellence, and because of its age, Yale boasts a great deal of architectural beauty. A diverse range of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
New Haven's Historical Buildings Tour
The first ever planned city in the United States, New Haven, Connecticut, is famous for a wealth of prominent homes that have stood the test of time.
Some of these buildings, like the Caroline Nicoll House, showcase the elegant symmetry and refined detailing befitting Federal style. Others, like the John Cook House, represent a prime example of the Greek Revival architecture, characterized by... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Some of these buildings, like the Caroline Nicoll House, showcase the elegant symmetry and refined detailing befitting Federal style. Others, like the John Cook House, represent a prime example of the Greek Revival architecture, characterized by... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Amistad Freedom Trail
The Cuban schooner La Amistad made history in July 1839 when a group of African captives on board unshackled themselves during the voyage, took control of the ship, and eventually landed on the US shore. The slaves responsible for the revolt were interned in New Haven, Connecticut to be tried for mutiny and murder. The case known as The United States vs The Amistad (1841) gained international... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles