['Battell Chapel', 'Alumni Hall'] before 1882

Here we see James Notman’s photographic prints of Battell Chapel and Alumni Hall, immortalized within the pages of a Yale College publication. These images offer us a glimpse into the architectural landscape of a late 19th-century institution deeply entwined with notions of privilege, tradition, and power. Notman’s lens captures more than just stone and mortar; it encapsulates the visual markers of a social hierarchy, framing spaces where the elite were educated and socialized. The gothic revival style of these buildings speaks to a desire to evoke a sense of history and prestige, reinforcing the image of Yale as a bastion of established values. Consider the role of architecture in shaping identity and reinforcing social norms. How do these buildings, rendered in sepia tones, contribute to the construction of a particular narrative about Yale and its place in American society? As you stand here, reflect on the visual language of power and the ways in which it continues to resonate today.