His grandmother bought it at an estate sale in the 1930's, at a large home on Asylum Avenue in Hartford.

It is also a reminder of the days when Asylum Avenue was home to the most fashionable of shops.

Ahead, Asylum Avenue lay bleak beneath its lamps.

Design work has begun on a $5.9 million renovation of the four-story, 84,000-square-foot abandoned industrial building at 555 Asylum Avenue.

Diocesan offices are at 1335 Asylum Avenue, Hartford.

It was built in 1862, and the street on which it was built was renamed Asylum Avenue.

Originally named "U" Street, the road was renamed Asylum Avenue in 1862.

In 1958, the college purchased the Seaverns estate on Asylum Avenue and relocated the institution to its new wealthy neighborhood.

A new road beginning and ending on Asylum Avenue will wind into and around the cluster of homes.

"Some trees will be cleared to provide a view of the mansion from Asylum Avenue," said Robert Emma, "lighted in a restrained way at night."