Colonial
House

1801  Whitehouse

In the summer of 1801 Rev. Thomas Robbins, son of town pastor Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, visited Norfolk and reported in his diary: “Mr. Battell building a very elegant house near my father’s.” The house was completed in time for merchant Joseph Battell’s marriage to Sarah Robbins. The hipped roof and Palladian window above the entrance gave it a measure of sophistication, and its white coat of paint distinguished it for townsfolk who called it Whitehouse. The house was remodeled several times and in 1906, during the residency of Joseph Battell’s granddaughter Ellen Battell Stoeckel, the third story and colossal portico were added. When she died, Mrs. Stoeckel left the house and estate in trust for the use of Yale University for a summer school of music and art. It is now the home of the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.

Historic District Walking Tour Map Index: 8