Phelps Gate/Phelps Hall

Constructed in 1896 by American architect, Charles C. Haight, Phelps Gate/Phelps Hall is considered to be the main entrance to Yale University’s campus. Phelps Hall is a five-storied, monumental Victorian Gothic building that is distinguished by Phelps Gate -- a grand, intricately detailed, Tudor style, wrought iron gate that cuts under it. Through its entry, Phelps Gate creates a passageway from the city of New Haven to the private, cloistered campus of Yale University. The façade of Phelps Hall is composed of brick and stone, intended to complement the two preexisting, low-rise, brick dormitories to which it is connected; however, its unique trimmings and grand scale allow it to stand apart from its homogeneous, neighboring brick buildings as a monumental entrance to Yale’s campus. Phelps Hall currently houses Yale University’s Classics department.