The concept of the Junior Republic was devised in the late nineteenth century as a self-governing community for at-risk teenagers, whose participation in the endeavor would engender responsibility and civic participation. The community in Litchfield, CT. was one of the earliest established Junior Republics. In 1955, Breuer's friend and client, Rufus Stillman, was president of the board of trustees of the Connecticut Junior Republic. Stillman invited Breuer to design a new complex of buildings. Breuer, with the architect Thomas Babbitt, created a one-story, flat-roofed structure of vertical siding and concrete block. A large, main living room and playroom separated the dormitory rooms from the faculty apartments. A concrete block wall extended beyond the west and east elevations, marking the entrance terrace to the apartments. In 1980, Marcel Breuer Associates renovated the building, which had been named Colgate Cottage.