Parties at Heublein Tower
SubjectPortrait of
William H. Mortensen
American, 1903 - 1990
PhotographerPhotographed by
Einar G. Chindmark
American
PhotographerPhotographed by
Hank Murphy
American
PhotographerPhotographed by
Unknown
Date1950-1958
MediumPhotography; gelatin silver prints on paper
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 7 1/2 x 9 3/16in. (19.1 x 23.4cm)
Sheet (height x width): 8 1/8 x 10in. (20.6 x 25.4cm)
Sheet (height x width): 8 1/8 x 10in. (20.6 x 25.4cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of Trice D. Mortensen
DescriptionFormal and informal portraits of different groups of men at parties at Heublein Tower in Simsbury, Connecticut, also known as the Hartford Times Tower. Most of the men are wearing suits, some wear eyeglasses, and most are wearing nametags. They are standing on a grassy lawn with the stone walls of the tower visible in the background. Some hold glasses, one man smokes a pipe. One image has several men seated at a tables under a tent for a meal, with cups, plates, utensils, and napkins visible. Two men wear military uniforms, some men are wearing aprons.
Occasions include a party for Paul Miller, the president of Gannett Paper Company; a party for General Dwight D. Eisenhower; and a barbeque for General Eisenhower when he was the candidate for the Republican nomination for President, which included a visit by Eric Johnston, then president of the Motion Picture Association of America, and later an ambassador appointed by Eisenhower.
Other people identified in the photographs include: Chester Bowles; Herman M. Levy of the Motion Picture Theater Owners of Connecticut; William H. Mortensen; Frank Murphy, editor of the Hartford Times; Charles F. T. Seaverns, Ronald Reagan, President of the Screen Actors Guild; and Elmer Watson, the state Motor Vehicle Commissioner.
Occasions include a party for Paul Miller, the president of Gannett Paper Company; a party for General Dwight D. Eisenhower; and a barbeque for General Eisenhower when he was the candidate for the Republican nomination for President, which included a visit by Eric Johnston, then president of the Motion Picture Association of America, and later an ambassador appointed by Eisenhower.
Other people identified in the photographs include: Chester Bowles; Herman M. Levy of the Motion Picture Theater Owners of Connecticut; William H. Mortensen; Frank Murphy, editor of the Hartford Times; Charles F. T. Seaverns, Ronald Reagan, President of the Screen Actors Guild; and Elmer Watson, the state Motor Vehicle Commissioner.
Object number2002.87.143-.148
MarkingsOn verso, stamped in blue ink, "Hartford Times Photo" in a rectangular box.InscribedTwo of the photographs in this group have noteworthy inscriptions: 2002.87.147 is inscribed on verso in pencil, "Mountain Top Party / at Tower for / Gen D. D Eisenhower / back row with / Chester Bowles. / Foreground: / Motor Vehicle Comm. Elmer Watson / MHW & Mr. Searverns / 1950".
2002.87.144 is inscribed on verso, in pencil, "Visit of Eric Johnston at Times Tower / Ronald Reagan / on left". In ink, in different hand, "1952 Spring / Heublein Tower Barbecue for / Gen Eisenhower (candidate for Republican Nomination) / L-R - Frank Murphy, W H Mortensen, next three I don't recall and / (last man -now the first!) Ronald Reagan".NotesSubject Note: Heublein Tower was built by Gilbert F. Heublein in 1914. It was designed by the architectural firm of Smith & Bassette, and the contracters were T. R. Fox and Son. The tower is 165 feet tall and was built to withstand winds of up to 100 miles per hour. It was owned by The Hartford Times for a period during World War II, and then in 1965, it came under public ownership along with 557 acres on Talcott Mountain.
Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
