William Pinto House, New Haven

Located on Orange Street, just east of the New Haven Green, the William Pinto House—also known as the William Pinto–Eli Whitney House—is a well-preserved example of early 19th-century Federal-style architecture. Built in 1810 for merchant John Cook, the house is notable for its unusual front-facing gable, a rare design choice for the Federal period, where gables were more typically oriented to the side.

Constructed with post-and-beam framing and clad in clapboard, the 2½-story wood-frame house features a three-bay-wide façade with a side-placed entrance framed by pilasters, a half-round transom, and a distinctive gabled hood with carved brackets. Above, a Palladian window accents the gable, while sash windows with corniced lintels balance the symmetrical design. Inside, original details like fireplace surrounds and trim work have been retained.

In 1812, the home was purchased by William Pinto, a Revolutionary War militia officer and successful West Indies merchant from one of New Haven’s earliest Jewish families. Pinto later leased the home to Eli Whitney, the famed inventor of the cotton gin, who lived there from 1819 until his death in 1825.

Once part of an upper-class residential neighborhood, Orange Street has evolved into a bustling commercial area. The William Pinto House, now used for professional offices, was recognized for its historical and architectural significance with a listing on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.