Tapping Reeve House and Law School

Tapping Reeve (1744-1823), legal educator and jurist, founded the first law school in the land in 1774. Prior to this time, legal training in this country could be obtained mainly by apprenticeship. In 1784, after developing a systematized curriculum, Reeve launched the Litchfield Law School. He was the school's only instructor until 1898. He developed the first formal, regular lectures that guaranteed equal access to the same body of knowledge. The lectures became so popular that in 1784 Reeve enlarged his facility and built a law library on his property. Over its long history, 1,500 men graduated, many going on to distinguished careers. The house is furnished in period and is open to visitors from May until October.

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