The lifetime of Senator Justin Smith Morrill nearly spanned the 19th century, and many of the qualities that distinguish that American century were represented in the accomplishments of this self-educated native of Strafford, Vermont.

A 19th Century Renaissance man, Morrill changed the face of the American college system.

The son of a blacksmith, Morrill at the age of 15 had to leave school to work as a merchant’s clerk. He proved so successful that at the age of 38 he retired to devote his life to study and to the leisurely pursuits of a country gentleman.

The Morrill Homestead is an outstanding example of a Gothic Revival cottage. Designed and built by Justin Morrill before embarking upon his political career, he borrowed and adapted forms and details of the Gothic Revival to suit his own needs and vision.

Morrill was a serious student of landscape gardening as well. His designs are in the best traditions of the romantic landscape movement, formal yet Picturesque.

Senator Justin Smith Morrill's prominence, however, is not based on architecture and landscaping, but on his legislative accomplishments.

Inspired in large part by his own lack of a formal education, Morrill was the chief sponsor of the Land Grant Act, the most important educational legislation in the 19th century. The goal was to create a land grant college in each state to provide a liberal and practical education for farmers, mechanics, artisans and laborers.

The significance of the Land Grant Act was that it expanded higher education to include practical training in science, agriculture, and engineering, along with the classical studies traditionally offered only to clergymen, teachers, physicians and lawyers.

Learn more about Senator Justin Smith Morrill