Doveton House

Doveton House stands in the classic European style in the Nungambakkam region of Chennai. The house was built by a renowned architect named Benjamin Roebeck. The house presents the typical European style house that was primarily built for the Eorupean Officers. The Doveton House was acquired by many British officers including Lt. General John Doveton, after whom the place got its popular name. The house was constructed in the year 1798 and John Doveton acquired it after 39 years, that is in 1837. Many prisoners are said to having been detained in the house during British occupation. In 1916 the Doveton House was set on yet another course when Women's Christian College was shifted to the place.

The Doveton House represents European style of building during the time of its construction. The facade is marked with pillars, very typical of the colonial structures. On the back of the house is present the arched staircase that resemble the half moon in shape. The house as it exists today is forms the administration quarters of the Women's Christian College. The house is provided with a lush 20 acre park land. Devton House functions essentially as an education centre. The two century history of the house has seen a number of events, events like grand parties, custodial house, residential place of high officials and a great learning centre. Devton House is truly meant to last long, encompassing the glory of the past, its thriving in the present and survival to the upcoming challenges.

Senate House

Senate House, a very popular monument in Chennai city, stands on the southern end of Chepauk campus. The Chepauk campus, including the Senate House are parts of the Madras University, one of the oldest such institutions in India. The monument lies on the Marina Beach and as such close to the sea, Bay of Bengal.

The construction of the famous monument, Senate House, started in the year 1869. The monument, built in the characteristic Indo-Sarcenic Style, took some four years for its completion. The building represents one of the feats of Robert Fellows Chisolm, who is considered as one of the greatest architects of his time. The structure was constructed on an artillery site where salvos were fired to greet the dignitaries. The monument was primarily built for important meetings and conferences. After its occupation by the University, the building used to serve as the conference hall for important academic meetings. The place also used to house the administration section of Madras University. The building has seen renovations in the recent months (ending 2005 to 2006) and is scheduled to be inaugurated in the month of February.
Senate House is considered as an architectural masterpiece. The building has been constructed according to Indo-Sarcenic Style and supplemented with Byzantine and European architecture. The building consists of a main hall provided on the ground floor. This central hall is 130 feet long, 58 feet broad and 54 feet in height. On either side of the corridors are six massive stone pillars. The four towers rises steeply at the corners of the building. The stone pillars have been constructed and laid in a way to form arches at the top. The building is surmounted by a painted dome. The main entrance to the building is on the northern side. The southern part is provided with separate rooms and an entrance. The convocation or the main hall has access from the north. The eastern side and the western side also have entrances that lead to the building interiors.

Kamaraj Memorial House

The Kamaraj Memorial House is dedicated to one of the premier leaders of the city, M.G Ramachandran Kamaraj. The memorial was inaugurated on 15th July 1978. The veteran rose to the power as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu thrice. The great leader rose out of the poverty and lead the state to new heights during his political career.

The memorial consists of a three storeyed house that contains the preserved records of the Cheif Minister. The ground floor is marked by the simplicity as in the nature and character of the persona. The simple and plain furnishing reflects the days when he lived as a bachelor. On this very floor is a library lined up with great books. One can see the pictures of Kamaraj clinging on the walls of Dining Hall. The pictures portray the early years, youth and final years of Kamaraj's life. These pictures also include the ones taken during the swearing ceremony of Kamaraj as Chief Minister. Some of the greatest figures, next to Kamaraj, in the pictures include Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Sathyamurthy, Dr S Radhakrishnan, Rajendra Prasad, Martin Luther King and Queen Elizabeth.

The second floor, likewise, houses the felicitation that were received by the veteran leader during his political career. On display are some of the attires of Kamaraj. The luggage, time piece, some pens and utensils fill the emptiness of the space with the aura of inspiration. This floor also houses the pictures that have captured the homage paid to the leader on his demise.

Bharathiyar Illam

Bharathiyar Illam constitutes the house of a pioneering poets of the region, Subramanya Bharathi. Subramanya Bharathi was born in the year1882 in the present Tamil Nadu state. The works of the poet are considered to be exceptional. Subramanyam was originally born in a small village called Ettayapuram, which is about 600 kms from the Chennai city. Bharathiyar Illam was were he spend his last days on earth.

For people interested in poetry Bharathiyar is an enlightening place. The house used to be the dwelling place of the pet in his later years of life. Bharathiyar Illam was bought by the state government in the year 1993. After some renovations and restorations it was thrown open to public (same year, that is 1993). The house, situated in the Triplicane features the life and the times of the great poet. The house contains the pictures and archives of his family and friends. Some hand written verses of Bharathiyar have been preserved in the house. The preserved records also contain a letter from Mahatma Gandhi to mark the opening of Bharathiyar Mani Mandapam.