Pierson College

Built in 1933, Pierson College is one of the eight original residential colleges of Yale University. (1) Hidden behind gates opening onto both York and Park Street, the only visible part of Pierson from the street is the Pierson Tower, modeled after the one in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall (2). All four stories of Pierson surround a lush, quaint courtyard to be enjoyed by the nearly 500 undergraduate students who reside within the gates. Designed by James Gable Rogers, Pierson embodies the Georgian, or “Georgian Revival”, architectural style. (1)

The site where Pierson is now located was previously a collection of individually owned properties, as suggested by the 1911 sanborn map of New Haven along with the 1924 New Haven phonebook. (4) (5) These buildings were a combination of wood and masonry structures. Yale’s purchasing and building of Pierson drastically transformed that area of the city, as it did much of the city when the eight original residential colleges were built in 1933. It was William Harkness’ gift to the university that enabled the building of the eight original residential colleges, with those eight residential colleges remaining in place over eight decades later. After its yearlong renovation in 2004, Pierson now boasts Upper and Lower Court, two distinct living areas within its gates. This renovation also reconfigured the interior room layouts of the various buildings within Pierson.

Built and established in 1933, Pierson College has served as one of Yale’s primary residential colleges for the last eight decades. Prior to 1933, little is known about the actual ownership of the land which Pierson now occupies. The 1911 sanborn map shows the section in between Park Street and York Street as a collection of individual buildings, while the 1924 New Haven phonebook lists several names under the various Park Street addresses that have since come together to form Pierson College. (4) (5)

However, since 1933, Pierson College has served one function: residential college. The role of a residential college is multifaceted. A residential college is a collection of homes, a dining area, a multipurpose activity complex, a social space, a study space, and a microcosm of the Yale community as a whole. Pierson College is home to almost 500 undergraduate students as well as a dining hall, library, printing press, gym, buttery, and black box theater. (6)

Yale’s ownership of Pierson has drastically changed the social history of the area between Park and York Street over time. However, it is still a collection of living spaces, as it appeared to be in the 1911 sanborn map of New Haven. (4) Pierson still serves as a reminder. It is a reminder of the Southern, plantation style of architecture of the antebellum South. It is a reminder of the Georgian style of architecture, with its symmetrical brick facades and evenly dispersed buildings. (3) Yale University has transformed parts of New Haven, including where Pierson now stands. Pierson College carries that history with it, and is a reminder of Yale’s immense influence on the city. 

Pierson college is located between York Street and Park Street, in the Downtown neighborhood of New Haven. It is hidden from the street, and blends in with the surrounding urban landscape. On one side is the Yale Dramat Theater. On the other side is Davenport College. This part of York street is sandwiched in between two more commercial blocks, with Yorkside Pizza, Toad’s Place, and Blue State Coffee in one direction and various other garages, restaurants, and commercial spaces resting in the other direction. Pierson College blends in, and almost hides, within the surrounding urban landscape and can only be truly appreciated by those who can swipe into its secluded gates. (2)

Pierson was built and opened in 1933, along with the other seven original residential colleges of Yale. The famous Pierson Tower, the only visible piece of Pierson which can be seen from outside the York Street Gate, was modeled after the tower in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. The four-story buildings all surround and overlook a courtyard, completely hidden from the street. Pierson College was designed by the architect James Gable Rogers in the Georgian, or “Georgian Revival” style. This explains the symmetry of Pierson’s layout, its sloping, even roof, as well as its predominately brick façade. (3) These features also create an eerie likeness to traditional plantations of the antebellum South. As a result of this Southern similarity, the Lower Court of Pierson College was formerly referred to as the “Slaves’ Quarters”. (2) This nickname was retired in 2004, when Yale finished a yearlong renovation of Pierson. This renovation added a completely new residential building along the walkway into Pierson from York Street, known as Upper Court. With this addition, the “Slaves’ Quarters” became known as the more appropriate Lower Court. Home to nearly 500 undergraduate students, Pierson is the largest residential college of the 14. 

(1) Pinell, Patrick. Yale University: An Architectural Tour. Princeton Architectural Press. 2013.

(2) Mills Brown, Elizabeth (1976). New Haven, a Guide to Architecture and Urban Design. New Haven: Yale University Press.

(3) “Georgian Style (1700-1830).” Georgian Style Architecture Facts and History. Guide to Architectural Styles. Home Remodeling & Architecture in Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), Washington, DC, 29 June 2015, www.wentworthstudio.com/historic-styles/georgian/.

(4) 1911 Sanborn Map of New Haven. Atlas of New Haven Connecticut. Oscar W. Walker, Streuli & Puckhafer.

(5) 1924 Phonebook of New Haven. New Haven Street Guide. Park St.

(6) “Pierson College.” Welcome. Pierson College, pierson.yalecollege.yale.edu/.

Image Sources:

“Yale University.” Pierson College | Conferences & Events, conferencesandevents.yale.edu/gallery/pierson-college. 

“Francisco Anzola.” Flickr, Yahoo!, 26 Feb. 2018, www.flickr.com/people/10345599@N03. 

“NOAA Photo Library.” Flickr, Yahoo!, 26 Feb. 2018, www.flickr.com/people/51647007@N08. 

Emilie Foyer. “From the Sky”. 10 December 2011.

1924 Phonebook of New Haven. New Haven Street Guide. Park St.

1911 Sanborn Map of New Haven. Atlas of New Haven Connecticut. Oscar W. Walker, Streuli & Puckhafer.

“Pierson and Davenport Colleges, Yale University - Project.” Architype, architypereview.com/project/pierson-and-davenport-colleges-yale-university/.