Litchfield in Litchfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Earliest American Law School
Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 22, 2010
1. Earliest American Law School Marker
Law School
1775 – 1833
Tapping Reeve
And James Gould
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 41° 44.658′ N, 73° 11.297′ W. Marker was in Litchfield, Connecticut, in Litchfield County. Marker was on South Street (Connecticut Route 63) 0.2 miles south of East Street (U.S. 202), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Litchfield CT 06759, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Welcome to the Tapping Reeve Meadow (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Garden
this page online
Regarding Earliest American Law School. The Litchfield Law School of Litchfield, Connecticut was the first law school in the United States, having been established in 1773 by Tapping Reeve, who would later became the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. By the time the school closed in 1833, over 1,100 students had attended the institution including Aaron Burr, Jr. and John C. Calhoun.
The law school, including Reeve's house, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965 as the Tapping Reeve House and Law School. The Tapping Reeve House and Law School is owned and operated by the Litchfield Historical Society as a museum displaying life in a 19th century period school.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 22, 2010
2. Tapping Reeve House and Law School
Also see . . .
1. Litchfield Law School. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on March 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Litchfield Historical Society. (Submitted on March 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
3. Tapping Reeve. Wikipedia biography. (Submitted on November 5, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Michael Herrick, February 22, 2010
3. Tapping Reeve House and Law School
Reeve
House &
Law School
America's First Law School
Open
Mid April through November
Litchfield Historical Society
Photographed By Wikipedia, Unknown
4. Tapping Reeve
Photographed By Wikipedia, Unknown
5. The original Litchfield Law School building
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, August 4, 2023
6. The marker has since been replaced with this sign
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones, August 4, 2023
7. National Historic Landmark plaque for the school
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 920 times since then and 121 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 11, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 4, 5. submitted on November 5, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6, 7. submitted on August 8, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
