A Guide to Historic New Haven Connecticut (History & Guides) [Paperback]

Colin M. Caplan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 19, 2007 | Series: History & Guides

Written by New Haven native Colin M. Caplan, author of New Haven (Then & Now) and an active member of the local architecture and preservation community. He founded Magrisso Forte, a design-based consulting firm dedicated to fostering awareness of New Haven's cultural resources. This book details eighteen walks and nine guided driving/biking tours around the city.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: The History Press (November 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596292458
• ISBN-13: 978-1596292451
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 4.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,831,094 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Connecticut

More About the Author

I was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut. I studyied architecture and graduated with a Masters in Architecture from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. I have long had a passion for New Haven history.

With architectural and historical interests I started Magrisso Forte, LLC in 2006 to help foster historic preservation, building and family history and create a community buzz. Through this business I have consulted and designed over 40 projects including historic building reports, historic registry nominations, commercial and residential designs and additions and more. My website has over 2000 vintage images of New Haven and other Connecticut towns that viewers can browse and purchase.

Besides having been employed in a number of architectural firms in New Haven I worked with a non-profit affordable housing developer for many years. In 2008 I was the recipient of the Arts Award from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven.
I live in c1750 house with a yard full of archaeological finds. I try to ride my bike as much as possible and I value each waking day.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great architecture. Little tiny guide., February 19, 2008

By 

Jon L. Albee "Faulkner Wannabe" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Guide to Historic New Haven Connecticut (History & Guides) (Paperback)

But don't let the size put you off.

The first thing you will notice upon browsing this book, beyond its small size, is that there is a whole lot more to New Haven than Yale University. If you're looking for a comprehensive guide to buildings at Yale, this is not the book. While Yale has its proper inclusion, so do all of New Haven's other fascinating neighborhoods. New Haven's history includes a significant period of industrialization, so most of its colonial core is gone. Though there are a few remaining examples, colonial and federal structures made way for mid to late 19th century romantic styles. Lovers of Victorian architecture have to consider New Haven a treasure.

Since the guide is small and the building stock in New Haven is rich, the entries are exceptionally short. Most simply include an address, building name, date of construction and a brief description. There are a few black & white photographs scattered about, but the author hasn't attempted to add one for each entry. There are few really good photographs, but there are still a few.

Since the book is arranged around walking tours (and a few driving tours), there are nice maps for each chapter that exactly pinpoint the building locations. You're going to do a lot of walking to cover all this material, that's for sure. There are no historical essays to introduce the city or the architecture, rather, the author chooses to get us right to the architecture itself. And there are no architect biographies.

I know I seem to be talking a lot about what this book isn't, but perhaps I should mention what it is; a surprisingly complete and effective catalog of historic New Haven meant for the curious traveler and casual architecture enthusiast.

Note the title: There's no modernism here, but there's a drop-dead beautiful church on every corner (and every page).