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264:, two of the most prominent designers working in America at the time, produced a city planning document for New Haven. They advised that the style, materials, and scale of the new courthouse and post office should respect the character of existing public buildings around the Green. James Gamble Rogers designed the building to achieve those goals, and it was constructed between 1913 and 1919. Rogers was also the architect for structures at
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351:). Davenport was referring to the seven men who were selected to serve as the first General Court, and their names are inscribed on the building. The upper walls of the interior light court were incised with the names of five other prominent New Haven citizens and three military heroes. A carved band tops the building and includes coquillage, which are stylized seashells. An
378:, the courtroom was described as a "dignified, sumptuous room of perfect acoustic qualities." The lavish wall treatments combine fluted pilasters and paneling in quarter-sawn white oak that was stained a light olive color. The ornate plaster cornice and ceiling beams are finished to resemble the oak walls and highlighted with gold leaf.
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plan. However, a coalition of federal judges and local historic preservationists rallied to save it. After much negotiation, the landmark was restored in the early 1980s at a cost of $ 7.3 million. Although some interior spaces were modified, the restoration respected the original character, and many
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The interior retains many original features and rich finishes. Marble floors and pilasters (attached columns) are found in the ornate entrance lobby. The coffered (recessed) ceiling is intricately detailed with rosettes. The interior wall contains an elaborate bronze screen that led to the original
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as the exterior. However, the marble was finished to reveal more pink tones. Ceilings in this area are vaulted plaster overlaid with gold leaf. Ornate bronze elevator fronts and grilles remain. On the second floor, the courtroom lobby is lined with twenty monolithic, Tennessee marble columns with
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style of architecture chosen for the
Richard C. Lee U.S. Courthouse was commonly used for federal building design during the early twentieth century, because officials believed it conveyed the dignity of the federal government. The courthouse displays several hallmarks of the style, including the
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Remarkably, very few alterations were made to the building throughout the years. By 1980, however, it had fallen into disrepair. From 1982 to 1985, it underwent a massive
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postal workroom. Other original features that remain include writing desks, radiator grilles, and pendant light fixtures, which were specially designed by Rogers.
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Important citizens in New Haven's history inspired the inscriptions on the exterior. The frieze contains words from a sermon delivered by
Reverend
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rather than use only designers employed by the federal government. A cornerstone dedication ceremony was held in 1914. Former
President
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and restoration. The work respected historic integrity while updating spaces to meet the needs of the courts and safety requirements.
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who was a pivotal figure in the building's preservation as well as the city's revitalization.
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in 1639: "Wisdom hath builded her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars" (a quote from
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General
Services Administration page on the Richard C. Lee United States Courthouse
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historic components remain intact. In 1998, the building was renamed to honor
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Prominent
Features: Classical Portico; Ornate Courtroom; Elaborate Lobbies
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National
Register of Historic Places listings in New Haven, Connecticut
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The walls of the main stair and elevator lobbies are clad in the same
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1998: Building renamed to honor former New Haven Mayor
Richard C. Lee
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United States Post Office and Custom House (New Haven, Connecticut)
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National
Register of Historic Places in New Haven, Connecticut
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1910: Frederick Law
Olmsted and Cass Gilbert produce city plan
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United States
District Court for the District of Connecticut
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United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
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1913-1919: U.S. Post Office and Courthouse constructed
562:Buildings and structures in New Haven, Connecticut
425:Location: 141 Court Street on the New Haven Green
367:bronze scrolled Ionic capitals. Marble flooring,
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52:The Richard C. Lee United States Courthouse
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35:U.S. National Register of Historic Places
27:United States Post Office and Court House
557:Federal courthouses in the United States
219:Richard C. Lee United States Courthouse
567:Government buildings completed in 1912
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483:"National Register Information System"
440:Architectural Style: Classical Revival
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412:1982-1985: Renovation and restoration
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489:. National Park Service. 2009-03-13.
487:National Register of Historic Places
436:National Register of Historic Places
406:1965: Building slated for demolition
243:National Register of Historic Places
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577:1912 establishments in Connecticut
539:from websites or documents of the
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443:Primary Material: Tennessee Marble
434:Landmark Status: Eligible for the
325:(entrance porch with columns) and
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274:United States Treasury Department
272:(1890 - 1912), which allowed the
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541:General Services Administration
431:Construction Dates: 1913 - 1919
400:1913: Courthouse site purchased
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428:Architect: James Gamble Rogers
374:In a 1919 article featured in
318:Classical Revival architecture
291:The courthouse was slated for
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104:Show map of the United States
16:United States historic place
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295:in the 1960s as part of an
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572:Courthouses in Connecticut
258:Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.
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241:. It was listed on the
185:Architectural style
79:Show map of Connecticut
537:public domain material
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147:41.30667°N 72.92500°W
376:Architectural Forum
282:William Howard Taft
255:landscape architect
152:41.30667; -72.92500
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389:Significant events
211:September 14, 2015
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525:Attribution
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126:Coordinates
551:Categories
469:References
383:renovation
353:acroterion
293:demolition
278:architects
223:courthouse
138:72°55′30″W
135:41°18′24″N
321:colossal
253:In 1910,
245:in 2015.
171:Architect
451:See also
369:wainscot
349:Proverbs
327:pediment
202:15000586
114:Location
338:granite
335:Milford
323:portico
225:of the
163:Built
316:The
217:The
166:1919
197:No.
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