Prospect Hill is the most exclusive and elegant neighborhood in New Haven, close to downtown and home to the Yale Divinity School, the School of Forestry, and Science Hill. Mark Twain said that Hillhouse Avenue was the most beautiful street in America and much of that stately beauty has been preserved. Henry Farnam (1803-1883), made his fortune in the railroads in the middle 1800's and contributed a great deal of money to the early beginnings of Yale. Through his generosity, Farnam Hall, the freshman dorm at Yale, and The President's House at 43 Hillhouse were erected.

Henry's youngest son, Henry Walcott Farnam, became a Professor of Political Economics at Yale. Through his inspiration and foresight, Connecticut Hall, Yale's oldest building, still stands today. Also notable are the Farnam Memorial Gardens and the Farnam Neighborhood House given to New Haven by other family members. The Farnams built this lovely Georgian Colonial, 616 Prospect Street, in 1934 and moved here when their residence, 43 Hillhouse Avenue, was bequeathed to the president of Yale. In 1950 Professor Farnam's son, Henry W. Farnam Jr. and his wife, Eleanor Dow moved to this house. In 1970 Henry Jr. died and nine years later, Eleanor sold her home to us, Anthony and Elizabeth Lopez, your Innkeeper.