Preserving both artistry and function

Like the 2012 restoration work for the Saybrook College gates, CWA was commissioned to restore the Davenport and Pierpont Gates at Branford College. They have been returned to the level of craftsmanship believed to be attributed to master blacksmith Samuel Yellin. Branford College, designed by James Gamble Rogers, was built in 1921, followed by Saybrook College in 1933. Together, they represent the beginning of the Collegiate Gothic style for Yale’s first eight residential colleges, modeled after Oxford University.

Integral to Yale’s Collegiate Gothic campus plan, the gates serve both as secure passageways and as finely crafted works of art. The project involved restoring, refurbishing, and reconditioning original wrought iron and wood components, with the guiding principle of retaining as much historic fabric as possible. We collaborated closely with Hammersmith Studio in Canton, MA, to remain true to the gates’ original construction.

The gates also needed to meet modern security, maintenance, and accessibility standards. Previously retrofitted for automatic operation, the 300-pound leaves often became dislodged from their masonry anchors, and winter salt damaged the recessed ground closers. We addressed these issues by carefully positioning independent supports and overhead closers, removing in-floor hardware, and supporting the barrel hinges with discreetly placed steel posts.

Wherever possible, restorative metalwork replicated the original puddled and charcoal wrought iron—an archaic production method predating modern steelmaking that gives the gates their distinctive character. Charcoal wrought iron, used until the late 18th century, was produced in bloomeries or finery forges with charcoal fuel, resulting in variable composition and slag patterns. The puddling process, introduced in 1784, refined pig iron in a reverberatory furnace, producing a more uniform metal while preserving the layered grain and texture unique to wrought iron. No longer available in the United States, these material properties informed the selection of compatible repair stock and conservation techniques to ensure both structural integrity and authenticity.

The project also encompassed restoration of the adjacent stone arches and bluestone and limestone pavers, ensuring material compatibility and longevity for the surrounding architectural features.

Client
Yale University

Project Type
Restoration and Refurbishment

Completion
2025

Team
Hammersmith Studios, Ironwork Restoration
Milestone, Construction Manager

Photo Credit
Copyright 2025 David Ottenstein