Saturday, September 24, 2011

Bushnell Auditorium, 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT




The Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall opened January 13, 1930. It was built by Dotha Bushnell Hillyer as a "living memorial" to her father, the Reverend Dr. Horace Bushnell (1802-1876), esteemed Hartford minister, theologian, philosopher and civic leader. HORACE BUSHNELL became pastor of Hartford's North Church in 1833, and, according to my encyclopedia, his views had a profound influence on modern religious thought. (nytimes,sherman,robert,1980-01-20pg.AD19))

Designed by the renowned architectural firm of Corbett, Harrison and MacMurray, designers of New York's Radio City Music Hall, The Bushnell vividly contrasts a traditional Georgian Revival exterior with a rich Art Deco interior. Drama, the largest hand-painted ceiling mural of its type in the United States, is suspended from the Hall's roof by numerous metal supports. The work of Barry Faulkner, this timeless painting cost $50,000 to create in 1929.(http://www.bushnell.org/index.cgi/9713)

Front Page News 10/28/1930
Free Cooking School Course Begins Today
Housewives Urged to Attend Lectures and Demonstrations by Home Economics Expert
Mayor To Speak At First Session
Mrs. Pauline L. Rohrs to Conduct Daily Classes to Be Held in Bushnell Memorial Hall.
This afternoon at 2 o'clock will be held the first session of the Free Electric Cooking School at the Bushnell Memorial Auditorium. Every woman in Hartford and vicinity is urged to attend, and take advantage of this opportunity to hear Mrs. Pauline L. Rohrs, nationally-known homemaker. (The Hartford Courant,1930-10-28)

The Bushnell Auditorium has been a major performing arts center for over 65 years. The Bushnell presents visiting symphonies, Broadway musicals and a travel adventure series throughout the year. The art-deco styled auditorium seating 2,819 is also the performance space for the Hartford Symphony, Hartford Ballet and the Connecticut Opera Association. The Bushnell Memorial Hall was the site of the 1996 Presidential Debate between President Clinton and Senator Dole.

The Travelers Chorale was founded in 1924 and is the oldest company-affiliated, eight-part choral group in America. You may also be surprised to learn that this vocal ensemble has proudly performed on the prestigious Bushnell Auditorium stage annually since its historic opening in 1930.(4)



Jerry performed here on
7/24/80 Jerry Garcia Band
2/10/81 Jerry Garcia Band
11/13/82 Jerry Garcia Band
5/29/83 Jerry Garcia Band
5/30/83 Jerry Garcia Band
11/26/84 John Kahn (acoustic)
1/30/86 John Kahn (acoustic)




1.)^http://www.bushnell.org/index.cgi/9713
2.)^Sherman, Robert, 1980-01-20, New York Times, pg.AD19
3.)^The Hartford Courant, 1930-10-28
4.)^http://www.travelerschoralclub.org/

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