Yale Weathervanes
Post 1: Sterling Library
Now I know what to do with those photos – “thanks” to Heather Wilkinson Rojo at Nutfield Genealogy; she blogs Weekly Wednesday Weathervanes in New Hampshire. Please check out her page and enjoy the many unusual weathervane photos and often be entertained with a history lesson. It’s amazing at what you can encounter in your travels – You Just Need To Look Up!
Post 1: Sterling Library
The magnificent Sterling Library is located in the heart of what’s known as the “Central Campus” of Yale. It can be seen from surrounding roads around Yale and until you exit your car and begin walking, you will drive in circles trying to find it. It is one of Yale’s more prominent buildings, and also the largest of all the Yale libraries. It’s quite awesome to stand in the courtyard and look at this structure and imagine how this building was built back in 1930, compared to how it would be built today.
The first weathervane that catches your eye over Sterling Library has been perched there since 1930. America’s famous blacksmith Samuel Yellin forged this owl with its elaborate garniture to hover over Sterling Library at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut
Photo showing both weathervanes – the owl and medieval banner flag
There are two weather vanes adorning the top of Sterling Library… this one appears to be a medieval banner and I’ve featured it in color and black and white to feature a more gothic look.
Sterling library was designed by architect James Gamble Rogers (Yale Class of 1889) and named for its benefactor, John William Sterling (Yale Class of 1864). There are over 4 million volumes on 16 floors of book stacks, and unless you are on a Yale tour, you aren’t granted public access. I have yet to take one of those Yale tours, but it is on my list… I so want to walk inside this spectacular structure.
The design of the Sterling library is of the Collegiate Gothic style, as most Yale buildings are; it most resembles a European Gothic cathedral with its 60-foot ceilings, cloisters, clerestory style windows, side chapels and its circulation desk in the style of an altar. There are over 3,300 stained glass windows throughout… all designed by artist G. Owen Bonawit.
If you ever find yourself in New Haven, Connecticut, don’t pass the opportunity to view the Sterling library in person. As you walk on Elm or along the backside of Elm near the famous Grove Cemetery on Grove Street… just look up… the “owl” will be watching You!
Directions: From the New Haven Green or Phelps Gate on Old Campus, take College Street north to Elm Street. Make a left onto Elm Street. Go past Grace Hopper (formally Calhoun College) and Berkeley College (on your right). At High Street, turn right and follow the cement pathway. The Women’s Table sculpture will be on your right and Sterling Memorial Library will be to the left. Only Yale-led tours are allowed to enter the building.
Want to read more, click…. Weekend Weathervanes:
© 2017, copyright Jeanne Bryan Insalaco; all rights reserved
Everyone Has a Story 
Gorgeous! wow. I’m impressed. The photos are great.
LikeLiked by 1 person