Wesleyan’s Rich Architectural Legacy

The Hartford Courant has published a feature story on Wesleyan’s careful stewardship of its historic architectural jewels, dating back to the 19th century, including three buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The story highlights the work of Roseann Sillasen, associate director of construction services at Wesleyan and a registered nurse.

“Working with old buildings is a lot like nursing,” Sillasen tells the Courant. “Just as with patients, you have to assess the health of a structure, and based on that offer possible outcomes.”

During this busy summer construction season, Sillasen is overseeing a number of construction projects, including repairs to the veranda of the 1838 Alsop House (now the Davison Arts Center), built by Richard Alsop IV–scion of the Alsop shipping clan–for his widowed mother.