Page 14 - North Haven Magazine Issue 16 Holiday 2020

The Dr. Robert
The Dr. Robert
The Dr. Robert
The Dr. Robert

HOUSE

by Susan A. Iverson Dr. Robert Goodyear

he Dr. Robert Goodyear House is one of practice medicine throughout the region. He
TNorth Haven’s most visible landmarks – was elected to the Board of Education, he acted
situated at the intersection of Washington Ave- as a School Visitor (he evaluated school per-
nue and Clintonville Road, you probably know formance), and even served as Director of the
it as the North Haven Funeral Home. Built by town’s library. Think of all the “town business”
Solomon Linsley for Dr. Goodyear in 1871, the that was discussed over evening meals there!
structure has served not only the Goodyear
household, but all North Haveners since it Dr. Goodyear was very progressive in his
came into being. Linsley was a contemporary views – he valued scientific knowledge, partic-
of Robert Goodyear. He served during the ularly as it benefitted the public welfare. He
Civil War before returning to become North was instrumental in establishing many im-
Haven’s best-known architect and builder. The provements in basic sanitation, believing that
homes he built here were primarily Victorian, it would result in better health. Schools were
but he adapted his plans to suit surrounding his focus, and it was he who brought forward
structures, and he also incorporated modern requirements that there be adequate water
ideas into his designs as the 19th century came Solomon Linsley supplies, outhouses, wash basins, brooms, and
to an end. Solomon Linsley built the town hall even janitors for the schools. He would con-
and town hall annex, as well as residences for tinue to work on behalf of North Haveners un-
many of North Haven’s most influential families. Goodyear’s til he died of pneumonia in 1923 at the age of 87.
home is a fine example of Linsley’s Victorian designs.
Eventually the Goodyear House was purchased by the Rous-
Dr. Goodyear also distinguished himself as a Civil War vet- seau family and a funeral home was established. In 1983
eran, interrupting his study of medicine to enlist in the 27th Brian and Phyllis Havens purchased the property and con-
CT Volunteers. After the war he returned to the Yale Medical tinued to operate it as the North Haven Funeral Home. In
School to complete his training. He served as Resident Phy- the early 2000s the Havens were asked to sell their location
sician in the CT General Hospital of New Haven, then at the to a commercial developer, but they declined the offer. The
Hartford Hospital, and finally at the Retreat for the Insane in Havens family believed that it was best to continue meeting
Hartford. He did not intend to practice medicine in North the needs of the townspeople, as everyone before them did.
Haven, but an epidemic changed those plans (sound famil- Thankfully, this beautiful home was saved from the wreck-
iar?). According to Lucy Brusic’s history of North Haven, ing ball, and the Havens carry on the tradition of service to
there was a malaria epidemic the year Goodyear graduated community, as Dr. Robert Goodyear did so many years ago.
from medical school – he was pressed into service here, and
the “town never let him go”. With such diverse clinical train-
ing, North Haven was indeed fortunate to have Dr. Goodyear Much of the information in the North Haven Historical So-
remain in his hometown as a family physician. ciety Archives about the Dr. Robert Goodyear House was
authored, collected, and preserved by people who no longer
Shortly after Dr. Goodyear’s marriage to Jane Lyman in 1869, walk this earth. To them I say “thank you” for passing down
he had his home on Washington Avenue built. This is also their knowledge and expertise.
where he practiced medicine. Dr. and Mrs. Goodyear had
two children before Mrs. Goodyear’s death in 1878. Dr.
Goodyear later married Ellen Hotchkiss and continued to

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North Haven Magazine - Holiday Issue 2020