A Look At The Rich History Of Yale's Art Museum

Did you know that the very first place that curators decided to hang artwork for future students in the form of an art museum is here in Connecticut?

Yale University is one of the schools in the world, a crown jewel of Connecticut, and a world leader in shaping the minds of our future. They were so innovative that almost 200 years ago in 1832 the Yale University Art Gallery (YUAG) was founded. It was the first, and now oldest, art museum at an educational institution in the US. The Museum got its start with a donation of artist John Trumbull's collection of 28 paintings and 60 miniature portraits of the American Revolution, and the land that the museum stands on.

According to yale.edu, Trumbull himself designed the gallery, which opened to the public on October 25, 1832. The building was located on Yale's old campus and stood until it was razed in 1901. Street Hall, the eventual successor to the Trumbull Gallery, was built in 1866 and is still in use. The Old Yale Art Gallery Building came next in 1928, and finally the Louis Khan Building arrived in 1953.

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All three buildings underwent major renovations between 2004 and 2012, and now the current collection spans a block and a half of New Haven along Chapel and York Streets, and houses more than 4,000 works in its permanent collection. The best thing about the oldest university art gallery in the United States? It's free to visit, open to the public. If you haven't been, it's a treasure that everyone in Connecticut should visit.

10 Famous Actors and Filmmakers Who Attended Yale University

So, who are these Hollywood heavy hitters who once called Yale home? We dug into the facts — when they attended, what they studied, and if they actually graduated — to bring you a snapshot of some seriously impressive talent. From Academy Award winners to TV legends, this list proves that Yale’s influence on Hollywood runs deeper than you might think. Ready to meet the stars who got their start right here in New Haven?

Note: Yale College refers specifically to the undergraduate division of Yale University.

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano

The Skull and Bones Society: Connecticut’s Ultimate Conspiracy Theory

Skull and Bones, founded in 1832 at Yale University in New Haven, is arguably the most famous and secretive senior society in the United States. Known by nicknames like “The Brotherhood of Death” this exclusive club has long been surrounded by whispers of occult rituals, shadowy political power, and a membership roster that reads like a who's who of American leadership. Let’s dive deep into the world of Skull and Bones and uncover the story—secrets and all.

Gallery Credit: Lou Milano