Power Plant Reflection

Gales Ferry, CT

At one time, there really was a ferry here crossing the Thames River.   The ferry was established by John Comstock, Ralph Stoddard Jr, and John Hurlbut in 1740.  Later it was owned by Roger Gale from 1759 to 1764 whose name lives on to this day.  Today the site is the home of the Yale University Crew training camp, whose boathouse was pictured in this blog last week.  This is the view across the the Thames River looking at the village of Uncasville.  I'm sharing this with Weekend Reflections, where you'll find many more wonderful reflections.  Enjoy your weekend and thanks for visiting my blog. 

Snowy Beach

Madison, CT

I had the chance recently to visit Hammonassett State Park in Madison, CT, the afternoon after a major snow storm hit our area.  The temperature was about 15ºF with steady wind blowing, so I didn't stay out too long.   It always seems that the clearest, brightest skies always occur on the coldest days.

Citizen's Bank

New London, CT

Don't you think all bank buildings should look like this? 

Yale University - Students

New Haven, CT

Yale University - Book and Snake Tomb

New Haven, CT

Yale University is noted for a number of undergraduate landed "secret societies", perhaps the most famous being the Skull and Bones Society which claims amongst its members,  Presidents William Howard Taft, George Bush and his son, George W Bush.  Each society owns their own meeting hall/ building which is characterized by having no windows nor any other identifying signs.  The buildings are called tombs.  The one pictured here belongs to the Society of the Book and Snake, founded in 1863.  I'm not sure for what purpose these societies exist.  I guess that's why they are secret. 

Yale University-Master's House Delivery Door

New Haven, CT

Yale University - Iron Gate

New Haven, CT

I failed to note where this particular gate is located.  It might have some connection to a fraternity at Yale due to the greek letters, Delta Psi, seen above the arch. 

Yale University-Boat House

Gales Ferry, CT

I knew it was here in Gales Ferry someplace, and I actually found Yale's boat house on the Thames River, located in Gales Ferry.  Although the boat house is pretty far from Yale University in New Haven, the Thames River is the site of the oldest intercollegiate sporting event in America, the annual Yale-Harvard Regatta. This boat race has been a one sided affair, with Harvard holding a 94-54 edge in wins over Yale.  The calm waters afforded a very nice reflection, which I'm linking to Weekend Reflections.  

Yale University-Sheffield Tower

New Haven, CT

This is a view of the base of Shefflield Tower.  I could spend hours looking closely at all the buildings   at Yale, and I'm sure I would not be able to find all the details that went into their construction.  One doesn't see this level of detail in today's buildings.  It's obvious from all the scientific symbols seen here that this building was once a part of the Shefflield Scientific School.  Currently I think it is part of the School of Engineering and Applied Science.  "Lux et veritas" translates roughly as "light and truth", if I recall my high school Latin correctly.  The good Fr Nicholas would be proud that I remembered something from his Latin classes.  

Pardon the Interruption...

Niantic, CT

I'll return to posting some more pictures from Yale, but thought I'd get the requisite winter snow pictures posted today.  The first picture is my patio as I found it this morning after the latest big storm to hit our area of Connecticut.  I think we got about 8" of snow, perhaps more.  The predictions were pretty accurate this time.  I've heard the storm was worse near Boston and Cape Cod was especially hard hit.  The snow was followed by some bitterly cold temperatures.  Tonight it's predicted to get down to the single digits near the shoreline. Spring cannot come fast enough. 

Yale University-Memorial Rotunda

New Haven, CT

This is another part of the complex of buildings which includes the Commons, pictured earlier, and Woolsey Hall, the main auditorium of Yale University. 

Yale University-Sheffield Tower

New Haven, CT

Sheffield Tower, along with Sheffield Hall, and Strathcona Hall now occupy the site of the original Yale Scientific School, which was founded in 1847 and later re-named the Sheffield Scientific School.   Named after Joseph E Sheffield, a railroad executive and early benefactor of Yale, the Sheffield Scientific School offered courses early on in agricultural chemistry, practical chemistry and civil engineering.  The school influenced the transition of US higher education to the modern model used today which incorporates the teaching of the sciences along side the classical liberal arts. 

Yale University-Woodbridge Hall

New Haven, CT

Across the quad from yesterday's post is located Woodbridge Hall, home to the central administration of Yale University.  The building was designed by the firm of Howells and Stokes and is considered to be in the French Renaissance style.  The building is named after the Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, one of the founders of Yale.  

Yale University Commons

New Haven, CT

Yale University Commons was once the dining hall for the entire student body.  Food is still served here today, but each of the university residential "colleges" now has it's own dining hall.  The building is part of a complex which also contains Woolsey Hall and the Memorial Rotunda, built in 1901-1902 as part of Yale's bicentennial celebration.  The buildings were designed by, John Carrère and Thomas Hastings, who also designed the New York Public Library.  I love the columns in this building.  

Yale University- Sterling Memorial Library

New Haven, CT

Yale is the third oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is located in New Haven, CT.   The buildings, colleges and campuses are entwined within the city, and it's often hard to tell where the city ends and the university begins.  I recently spent an afternoon walking around one small part of the campus and will be sharing some pictures from Yale this week.  This is a picture of Sterling Memorial Library.  I'm sure any students attending Yale spend many an hour here.