The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station
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The Johnson-Horsfall Laboratory, located at the main laboratories, New Haven
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Location | 123 Huntington Street, New Haven, Connecticut |
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Coordinates | 41°19′50.64″N 72°55′10.43″W / 41.3307333°N 72.9195639°WCoordinates: 41°19′50.64″N 72°55′10.43″W / 41.3307333°N 72.9195639°W |
Area | 6.25 acres (2.53 ha) |
Built | 1882 |
Part of | Prospect Hill Historic District (#79002670) |
NRHP Reference # | 66000805 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
Designated NHL | July 19, 1964 |
Designated CP | November 2, 1979 |
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) is the Connecticut state government's agricultural experiment station, a state government component that engages in scientific research and public outreach in agriculture and related fields. It is the oldest state experiment station in the United States, having been founded in 1875. Its official mission is to "develop, advance, and disseminate scientific knowledge, improve agricultural productivity and environmental quality, protect plants, and enhance human health and well-being through research for the benefit of Connecticut residents and the nation." The station operates a main research campus in New Haven, a research farm in Hamden, a satellite research facility and farm in Windsor, and a research farm in Griswold.
The experiment station's main facility in the Prospect Hill area of New Haven dates from 1882 when it became the permanent home of the first state agricultural experiment station. The station had been founded at Wesleyan University in 1875 and moved to Yale in 1877 as it became associated with the Sheffield Scientific School.
However, by 1882, the station needed more space, and Sheffield needed its space back. A 5-acre (20,000 m2) property at the top of Prospect Hill was purchased and buildings built, using a $25,000 appropriation from the state legislature. The buildings include the Osborne Library, built in 1882-83 and believed to be the oldest building at any state agricultural experimental station, and the Johnson Laboratory, which has notably large brackets supporting its wide overhanging eaves.