Whitneyville in Hamden in South Central Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
The Boarding House
Photographed by Conrad Ward, August 11, 2024
1. The Boarding House Marker
In 1798. Whitney realized that he had underestimated the scope of the contract with the government that he had undertaken. His most compelling challenge: I have not only the arms but...(the) Armorers to make. A first step, Whitney had to make a place for those armorers.
The Boarding House was constructed sometime between 1816 and 1825. It housed unmarried male workers in its light and airy rooms and ample kitchen. A cider press in its basement suggested a respect for preserving healthy food for the winter months. Archaeology of the kitchen waste pits suggest that oysters a New Haven staple were common in the diet.
Across Armory Street, Whitney constructed homes for married workers and their families. These were equal to the best of housing for artisans in New Haven. In the attic. of the Armory building, there were 1o bed assigned to new apprentices. Whitneyville was home to 65 workers.
(Caption)
This detail of an 1879 bird's-eye view of New Haven shows the Boarding house at the center of a hub of activity that urban New Haven had not yet embraced. Worker housing made social and economic sense.
Erected by Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley, on the Connecticut Shoreline, and in Greater New Haven. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Haven County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Barn (a few steps from this marker); Eli Whitney Armory (within shouting distance of this marker); Transition (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Second Armory (about 300 feet away); The Painting (about 300 feet away); A. Frederick Oberlin Bridge (about 300 feet away); The Town Bridge (about 300 feet away); The Turbine (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamden.
Also see . . .
1. Our Historic HQ - Preservation Connecticut.
Our historic headquarters is truly a national treasure.(Submitted on January 19, 2025.)
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as an Official Project of the Save Americas Treasures Program, the Eli Whitney Boarding House has served as Preservation Connecticuts headquarters since 1989.
2. Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop. (Submitted on January 19, 2025.)
3. Eli Whitney (Wikipedia). (Submitted on January 19, 2025.)
4. Eli Whitney Museum (Wikipedia). (Submitted on January 19, 2025.)
Photographed by Conrad Ward, August 11, 2024
2. The Boarding House Marker
Photographed by Conrad Ward, August 11, 2024
3. The Boarding House
The building now houses Preservation Connecticut
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 113 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
