UConn's Historic Whitney House Doomed For Demolition

STORRS, CT — It appears that one of the oldest buildings on the University of Connecticut campus that was damaged by fire over the winter cannot be saved.

A "Notice of Scoping" has been posted by the UConn University Planning, Design and Construction department that sets the stage for the eventual razing of the house built between 1802 and 1807.

The Whitney House is one of the oldest structures on campus and has been a "contributing resource to the University of Connecticut Historic District since 1989," according to the posting.

It continued, "Damaged by fire, smoke, and water earlier this year, the building is unsafe for occupancy and beyond reasonable repair. This project will plan, design, and decommission the building for demolition, and will eliminate present hazards and liabilities associated with the existing structure and site."

Click here to view a map of the project area. The Whitney house sits on the 1300 block of Storrs Road.

A public scoping online meeting has been scheduled regarding the demolition for July 25 at 6 p.m. Those wanting to attend should register in advance at:

• https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aBU9fGcXRUKzXAGGDVgusw

Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Aug. 4.

A recording of the public scoping meeting will be available on July 27.

The fire broke out at 6:20 a.m. on Jan. 20.

No injuries were been reported, but the fire was intense. UConn Public Safety crews arrived at the Whitney House quickly, but the house was almost fully engulfed in flames at one point, officials said at the time. The fire was under control as of 8 a.m., but Crews were busy all morning locating and knocking down "hot spots" in the house, mostly small fires within the walls and other parts of the building.

Fencing has since been erected around the house, and it has been boarded up as a safety precaution.

The Whitney House was the onetime home of the Whitney family. Edwina Whitney was an early librarian and instructor when the institution was known as the Connecticut Agricultural College.

It has been used for many purposes in the time that UConn has owned it, including as the International House in the 1960s, home of the Rainbow Center in the 1990s and early 2000s. It was not in use at the time of the fire, but was being regularly maintained.