Robert W. Hill
September 20, 1828 – July 16, 1909
Robert Wakeman Hill was the state architect under four Connecticut governors and is one of the most important architects in the state in the last half of the 19th century.
At least five buildings designed by him have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and many others contribute to listed historic districts.
Hill attended Waterbury public schools, and later the Young Men’s Institute in New Haven where he learned architectural drawing. He obtained a position in the office of famed New Haven architect Henry Austin.
In 1863 he established a firm in Waterbury, where he quickly became the city’s most prominent architect, a position he retained for the rest of his career.
Hill was responsible for designing many of the state’s armories as well as many public buildings including the former Waterbury City Hall, the Litchfield County Courthouse, the Thomaston Town Hall and Opera House and the Watertown Library, now owned by Taft School.
Some of his other notable works include the Tuttle House in Naugatuck, the John Kendrick House on the Waterbury Green, the Yankee Pedlar in Torrington, and the Hall Memorial Chapel in Riverside Cemetery.
Hill trained several other Waterbury architects, including Joseph A. Jackson, Wilfred E. Griggs and Theodore B. Peck.
Robert W. Hill Gallery
Hall Memorial Chapel
Completed in 1885, it was named for Samuel W. Hall, who left a bequest of $20,000 in 1877 for its construction. It welcomes visitors at the entrance to our beautiful cemetery. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
John Kendrick House
Built in the 1860s, the Kendrick House is a brick Tuscan villa in the Italianate architectural style. It is one of the last remaining historic homes on The Green and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built by Green Kendrick, an early industrialist, for his son John, a lawyer who later served as a mayor of Waterbury.
Old City Hall
Waterbury’s first City Hall was located on West Main St facing The Green on the site of the Rowland Center today. Built in 1869, it was destroyed by fire in 1912.
Bronson B. Tuttle Home
Built in 1879 in Naugatuck, CT for a prominent local industrialist, it is a fine example of Queen Anne architecture in brick, and a well-preserved reminder of its 19th century industrial past. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building now houses the local historical society.
St Margaret’s School
Built in 1865 on the corner of Grove and Cooke Sts it was established as the Collegiate Institute For Young Ladies, changing to St. Margaret’s School in 1875. It was torn down in the 70s.
Thomaston Opera House
Historic performance venue and the town hall of Thomaston, Connecticut. Built in 1883-85, it is a great example of Romanesque architecture. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.