Russell Henry Chittenden House facts for kids
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Russell Henry Chittenden House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 83 Trumbull St., New Haven, Connecticut |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1887 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Part of | Hillhouse Avenue Historic District (ID85002507) |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001944 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated NHL | May 15, 1975 |
| Designated CP | September 13, 1985 |
The Russell Henry Chittenden House is a special old house located at 83 Trumbull Street in New Haven, Connecticut. It was built in the 1880s. This house was the home of Russell Henry Chittenden for many years, from 1887 until he passed away in 1943.
Russell Henry Chittenden was a very important professor at Yale University. He is often called the "father of American biochemistry." This means he was a pioneer in studying the chemistry of living things. Because of his important work, his house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1975. This title means it's a place of great historical importance to the United States.
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What Does the Chittenden House Look Like?
The Chittenden House is a unique three-story building made of brick. It has a style called Queen Anne. This style often includes interesting shapes and details.
Special Features of the House
The house has parts that stick out, like sections with pointed roofs called gables. One corner even has a square tower covered in wooden shingles. You can also see tall chimneys with decorative brickwork at the top. Even though the inside of the house has been changed to make room for different apartments, many of its original decorations are still there.
Who Was Russell Henry Chittenden?
Russell Henry Chittenden bought this house in 1887. He likely bought it from the person who built it. He lived there for the rest of his life. Chittenden was born in New Haven in 1856. He studied chemistry at Yale University.
Chittenden's Studies and Discoveries
In 1878, Chittenden traveled to Germany to learn from top chemists there. During this trip, he became very interested in how our bodies digest food. This became a topic he studied for his whole life. He became a professor at Yale in 1882. He also led a special lab that combined the study of how bodies work (physiology) with chemistry.
His main discoveries were about understanding the digestion process. He especially focused on how enzymes help break down complex protein molecules. Enzymes are like tiny helpers in our bodies. He also made early progress in the field of nutrition. His work helped set the stage for many discoveries about healthy eating that came later. He also helped build one of the best biochemistry departments in the country at Yale.
Why Is This House Important?
The Russell Henry Chittenden House was named a National Historic Landmark in 1975. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places in the same year. This means it's officially recognized for its historical value. The house is also part of the Hillhouse Avenue Historic District in New Haven. This district is a special area with many historic buildings.
