William Pinto House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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William Pinto House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 275 Orange St., New Haven, Connecticut |
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| Area | 0.1 acres (0.040 ha) |
| Built | 1810 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 85002316 |
| Added to NRHP | September 12, 1985 |
The William Pinto House, also known as the William Pinto-Eli Whitney House, is a special old building located at 275 Orange Street in New Haven, Connecticut. It was built in 1810 and is a great example of the Federal style. This house is unique because its pointy roof end (called a gable) faces the street, which was not common for buildings of its time.
The house is important because of two famous people who lived there. The second owner was William Pinto, who came from one of New Haven's first Jewish families. Later, the famous inventor Eli Whitney rented the house from Pinto. The William Pinto House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Today, it is used for offices.
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What Makes the William Pinto House Special?
The William Pinto House is found just east of the New Haven Green in downtown New Haven. It sits on the east side of Orange Street, between Elm and Wall Streets. This building is made of wood and has two and a half stories. It features a gabled roof and its outside is covered with clapboard siding.
A Look Inside and Out
The front of the house, which faces the street, has three sections. The main door is on the right side. The windows are tall and narrow, and they have decorative tops called corniced lintels. Above the main part of the house, in the gable, there is a small Palladian window. This type of window has a large arched center and two smaller rectangular sides.
The main entrance is framed by flat columns called pilasters. Above the door, there's a half-circle window called a transom. A small, gabled roof with fancy carved supports covers the entrance. Inside, many of the original details are still there, including the fireplace decorations and other wooden trim.
Who Lived Here?
When the William Pinto House was built in 1810, Orange Street was a very popular and fancy area for wealthy families to live. Over time, this street has changed into a busy business district in the city center.
John Cook, the First Owner
The house was built for John Cook, who was a well-known local merchant. A merchant is someone who buys and sells goods. John Cook sold the house just two years later, in 1812.
William Pinto, a Key Figure
The next owner was William Pinto. He was part of one of the very first Jewish families to settle in New Haven. William Pinto was a successful merchant who traded with the West Indies. He also served in the state army during the American Revolutionary War.
Eli Whitney's Time in the House
In 1819, William Pinto rented the house to the famous inventor Eli Whitney. Whitney is best known for inventing the cotton gin. He lived in the house until he passed away in 1825. Architecturally, the house is a rare example of a Federal-style home with its gable end facing the street. Most houses from that time had the gable on the side.
Images for kids
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WIlliam Pinto House (1810), 275 Orange St., New Haven.
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Palladian window in the gable.
