Goffe Street Special School for Colored Children

The Goffe Street Special School for Colored Children is an important landmark of African-American history at 106 Goffe Street in New Haven, Connecticut.[2] The building, also known as Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Masons, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[1]

Goffe Street Special School for Colored Children
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	106 Goffe St., New Haven, Connecticut
Coordinates	41°18′56″N 72°56′6″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1864
Architect	Henry Austin
Architectural style	Italianate
NRHP reference No.	79002643[1]
Added to NRHP	August 17, 1979

History

The first school for African-Americans in New Haven opened in 1811.[3] In 1854, Sally Wilson, a black teacher, began a small school for African-American children in her own house in New Haven (The Artisan Street Colored School). The creation of a more permanent institution was proposed at a meeting of New Haven citizens in the home of Atwater Treat in 1864.[2] The purpose was to provide for

... the intellectual and moral well being

of the colored people of the Town of New Haven and especially of their children ... for the elevation and benefit of the class among us, particularly in view of the fact that they have been less favored than others

as well as to educational advantages.[2]

Mary Lucas Hillhouse, daughter of James Hillhouse, purchased land for $5,000 and hired New Haven architect Henry Austin to design the building.[4] Austin donated his design.[5] Money was raised and the building was built in 1864.[5] The brick, gable-roofed building is two stories with an attic and a wide dentillated cornice.[2] The interior staircase includes heavy turned balusters and an oak handrail.[6]

The school served as an evening school from 1866 to 1871.[7] Very few educational opportunities for African-American children were available previously. The school then closed in 1874 as African-American children began attending previously all-white public schools,[8] beginning 1869.[9] The building was subsequently used by African-American community organizations, as a parish hall and as a lodge for Prince Hall Masons.[6] The building was sold to the Widow's Son Lodge No. 1 in 1995.[4]

The building was renovated by the Masons with help from Gateway Community College, city public schools and Yale University. The one-room Little Red Brick Schoolhouse Museum opened in 1997.[4]

A famous alumni of the school is Edward Bouchet, the first African-American to earn a PhD from any American University.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in New Haven, Connecticut

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
2. Charles W. Brilvitch (November 1978). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Goffe Street Special School for Colored Children / Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Masons". National Park Service. and Accompanying four photos, exterior, from 1978
3. Jean Sutherland, Examining the African American Role in New Haven History: Pride in the Past; Hope for the Future, Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute
4. A. Katz, New Haven Register, September 25, 2007
5. E. M. Brown, New Haven: A guide to architecture and urban design, Yale University Press, 1976.
6. N. C. Curtis, Black Heritage Sites: An African American Odyssey and Finder's Guide, 1996, ALA Editions, page 281-282.
7. B. L. Savage, African American Historic Places, 1995. John Wiley and Sons, ISBN 0-471-14345-6
8. B. W. Coles Trader, The Insights of American Blacks During the 19th and 20th Centuries in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute.
9. Adena Silberstein, "Largest group of black Masons celebrates 150 years", New Haven Register, Friday, March 14, 2008.