The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Harbor House

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Institution Name: Mitchell College
Original/Historic Place Name: Israel Lay House
Location on Campus: 355 Pequot Ave.
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1853	original construction Jackson, Robert B.
ca. 1900	addition Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: masonry covered in stucco

Walls: aluminum siding

Roof: asphalt

Function:

ca. 1853	private residence
ca. 2004-present (2007)	residence hall

Significance: architecture, history
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
The gable end of the Harbor House faces the street and has an open-bed pediment. A one-story front porch has been enclosed. This was apparently done in the early 20th century, as the room made by the porch enclosure has a brick fireplace. Windows have replacement sash of varying styles and dates. An ell on the south side has a brick chimney with a corbelled panel and a course of cut brick.

The Harbor House is a good later example of the Greek Revival style. The open-bed pediment is characteristic of the style. Later additions are typical of the reworking which was done to homes in this neighborhood in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Harbor House was originally constructed in 1853, shortly after the railroad came to New London. The rail connection brought industry to nearby Fort Neck, along with an influx of summer visitors to the Pequot Colony. The house may have been constructed as rental property to take advantage of this boom. Additions made in the late 19th or early 20th century may have been inspired by the demand for seasonal rental. This house is part of a late 19th/early 20th century neighborhood where Eugene O'Neill spent much of his childhood.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

II. Location of other data:

Other: New London Landmarks, Inc.