Gift of the Rosalie Thorne McKenna Foundation, 2011.344.986 © 2012 The Connecticut Historical ...

Schoonhoven Parlor

PhotographerPhotographed by Harriet V. S. Thorne (American, 1843 - 1926)

Dateabout 1900

MediumPhotography; gelatin silver print on paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 2 3/8 x 3 1/2in. (6 x 8.9cm) Sheet (height x width): 2 1/2 x 3 5/8in. (6.4 x 9.2cm) Mount (height x width): 5 5/16 x 6 9/16in. (13.5 x 16.7cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineGift of the Rosalie Thorne McKenna Foundation

Object number2011.344.986

DescriptionHarriet V.S. Thorne and Jonathan Thorne, seated in their Black Rock, Bridgeport, CT home, nicknamed "Schoonhoven." They are sitting on their side of the fireplace, which bears the Schoonhoven name and coat of arms. A dog is at their feet. The furnishings of the room are plainly evident.

Collections

Women Photographers

NotesSubject Note: Schoonhoven was the Thornes' name for their summer home on Black Rock Point in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was designed in 1881 either by Stanford White or Bruce Price and was completed in the summer of 1882. It was the largest individually-owned property on the point, and featured a nine-hole golf course, a bowling alley, a wharf, vegetable and flower gardens and St. Mary's by-the-Sea chapel. Schoonhoven was home to Harriet's photography studio, packed with props, costumes, backdrops and furniture. A fire gutted the top story in 1903 and after Jonathan's death in 1920, Harriet closed the studio, asked her sons to dispose of its contents. She moved to Bridgehampton, New York, for the summer months. The estate changed hands at least twice after 1920 before being razed sometime in the twentieth century.

From "Black Rock: A Bicentennial Picture Book" (Dick Jones, Charles W. Brilvitch), articles in the Bridgeport Standard (January 5, 1881, May 16, 1882) and the Bridgeport Post (September 9, 1903), and Rollie Thorne McKenna's essay for the 1979 Yale exhibition.

Status

Not on view