Mory's

306 York Street is one of the most recognized places on Yale’s campus. It is currently the location of Mory’s, an exclusive restaurant and bar for members of the Yale community. In around 1817, the building was constructed. It is one of the few Federal-style buildings remaining in New Haven. Although the building has been altered a few times, it still is exemplary of the Federal style of architecture. It originally served as a single-family home until it became the location of Mory’s in around 1912. The site now serves as one of the most renowned collegiate social clubs in the country with many traditions that still remain today.

E.L. Richards

Wilbur Cross

Clive Day

The Ross Family

The Harrison Family

Since 306 York Street was built such a long time ago, it is difficult to figure out what the lot was before the building was constructed there. Since 306 York Street is the same size and visible on each of the Sanborn maps, it is highly likely that the home was the first building constructed in that area. The New Haven Sanborn maps show the transformation of the urban landscape surrounding 306 York Street. For example, in the 1886 and 1901 Sanborn maps, the whole strip that currently is occupied by Toad’s Place, Donut Crazy, Blue State Coffee, and other stores does not even exist on the map. There is just empty land shown at that area. However, the 1924 Sanborn maps show buildings in that area. Buildings numbered 290 through 300 are now on the map in addition to a pass way, which still remains today, in between 300 York Street and 306 York Street. There is also a large high school with a connecting gymnasium behind 306 York Street, which is shown on the 1924 Sanborn map. The 1973 Sanborn map is a more accurate representation to what the area looks like now. Yale’s Hall of Graduate Studies is constructed right next to 306 York Street. Also, Yale’s Ezra Stiles College and Morse College are built right behind 306 York Street (where the high school previously mentioned was located). The transformation demonstrates how Yale’s campus has expanded over time. It is interesting to see how 306 York Street was shown on the Sanborn maps dating back to 1886, but the surrounding urban area has changed rapidly throughout time.

The Mory’s building is a staple within the Yale community. However, before the building became Mory’s, it served as a single-family home. The original owner of the house is unknown, but the first known homeowner is E.L. Richards. Later, Wilbur Cross, Yale’s famous graduate dean, occupied the home, followed by Clive Day and the Ross and Harrison families.

Mory’s has a history that began before the purchase of 306 York Street. In the early 1860s, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moriarty established the bar at 103 Wooster Street, and it became a popular site for Yale students due to their characteristic hospitality. The establishment was then relocated quite frequently in future years. In the late 1860s, the Moriarty’s relocated their business to a brick, Italianate residence on Court Street and called it “The Quiet House”. In 1876, Frank Moriarty passed away, and his wife decided to move the institution again to a Federal house closer to Yale’s campus on Temple Street. At this new location, the name of the business was changed to “Mory’s Temple Bar.” When Mrs. Moriarty passed away in 1885, Edward G. Oakley, a previous waiter in the bar, took over the business. Despite the change in leadership, the business was still owned by the Moriarty estate. Oakley was a poor manager, and he lost the lease in 1898. An experienced individual, Louis Linder, took over the lease and completely revived the business. He offered the site as a meeting place for Yale’s singing groups. In fact, one of Yale’s most famous a cappella groups, the Whiffenpoofs, was founded in the Temple Bar in 1909. In the early twentieth century, the future of the establishment was vulnerable due to Linder’s old age and redevelopment plans. So, in 1912, Attorney Arnon A. Alling organized a group of Yale alumni to purchase Linder’s interest and integrated the enterprise as a club. Around this time, 306 York Street was purchased for this establishment and significantly altered to include elements from the building on Temple Street.

Mory’s is a popular site for individuals within the Yale community. The club is only accessible to people with a membership, which is offered to students, alumni, individuals in New Haven who are affiliated with Yale, and employees. Since Mory’s has been around for such a long time, it has many traditions that are still active today. As previously mentioned, the Whiffenpoofs, an a cappella group composed of all-male senior Yale students, was founded at Mory’s. The group sings weekly at Mory’s in the dining areas of the establishment. Another one of the most renowned traditions is the cup. The cup is a large silver trophy filled with alcohol and is shared within a group. The way in which people drink out of the cup is unique. There is a specific way that the people must pass the cup, and when the drink is about to be finished, the last person must completely get rid of any moisture in the cup. The last person to drink out of the cup also usually puts the large cup upside down on their head. Even after so many years, Mory’s still remains to be one of the most fun and meaningful places for members of the Yale community.

Located in a central area of Yale’s campus, Mory’s is surrounded by buildings that serve many different purposes. It is situated near a row of commercial buildings from the early twentieth century. While facing the building, you will see one of New Haven’s most well-known nightclubs, Toad’s Place, on the left of Mory’s. On the right, is Yale’s Hall of Graduate Studies, displaying Late Gothic Revival and Modernistic styles of architecture. Across the street from the establishment is the Sterling Memorial Library, which also embodies a Late Gothic Revival style. On York Street, it is clear that the buildings exhibit many different styles of architecture which create a unique and exciting urban setting.

306 York Street is a single-family home built some time before 1817. The building is classified as a Federal style of architecture. It is a gable-end, side-hall house with molded cornice, and a fanlight attic window. It has a 3-bay façade with molded window frames, each of which have abbreviated entablature and projecting cornice above. On the north side of the building, there is a fence, a gate, and a small courtyard connecting the site with Yale University’s Hall of Graduate Studies. There is also a Victorian iron fence around the front yard. In 1923, the building was first altered with an addition that was constructed in the rear of the building. The Office of Douglas Orr, who was a Yale graduate with a degree in architecture, was then built in 1960. Soon after, in 1976, there were interior renovations to the building. Originally a feature of a previous Mory’s location on Temple Street, a Federal-style entrance porch with decorative features, such as paterae and bead molding, was added to the site in the 20^th century after 306 York Street became the new site of Mory’s. At this time, the building was renovated with many other elements from the building on Temple Street, including new window and door casings, wainscoting, and fireplace mantels. The interior also featured pictures, decorations, tables, and memorabilia from the previous location. There are three dining rooms, a kitchen, and office space on the ground floor of the building, On the second level, there are five private dining rooms and a library that contains books and collectables about Yale and Mory’s. Despite the numerous alterations to the building, 306 York Street remains to have a relationship with various Federal-style buildings surrounding Yale’s campus, including 80 Broadway, 66 Wall Street, and 459 College Street.

“About Us.” Mory’s Association, www.morys1849.org/Default.aspxp=DynamicModule&pageid=23&ssid=100037&vnf=1.

“About Us.” Whiffenpoofs, www.whiffenpoofs.com/about-us/.

“Asset Detail.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID.

Historic Resources Inventory Building and Structures – Connecticut Historical Commission (306 York Street)

Reilly, Laura. “Singing for Cups and Soggy Heads at Mory’s.” Supercall, 26 Sept. 2016, www.supercall.com/culture/the-strange-yale-university-tradition-of-drinking-cups-at-morys.