John Trumbull's Grave

As a patriotic artist, John Trumbull participated in the American Revolutionary War and developed a close friendship with George Washington. Jonathan Trumbull, his father, held the office of governor in Connecticut during the Revolution.Trumbull painted many famous works including “Declaration of Independence” and “The Battle of Bunker’s Hill,” as well as portraits of George Washington, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton. Trumbull also served as president of the American Academy of the Fine Arts in New York City.

Yale University Art Gallery was designed and founded in 1832 by Trumbull and he donated many of his paintings to it. The original building was demolished in 1867. It relocated to its current location in 1953.

Following his death in 1843, Trumbull’s paintings and remains were housed in the gallery until 1866. In 1866, Street Hall, the art gallery's new building, opened, and Trumbull’s paintings were relocated, and his remains were reinterred. The crypt was discovered after removing the basement floor. Trumbull’s wife, Sarah, was reburied twice, having passed away in 1824 and initially being interred in New York. Today, a plaque marks the site of Trumbull’s crypt. An additional structure was added in the 1950s.