New Aetna Life Insurance Company Building officially opens

1. Guests were by invitation only and included

• Officials of other Hartford companies
• Stockholders of the Aetna companies
• Local businessmen and women
• Friends and relatives of employees.

2. The event caused a traffic jam that a large detail of police officers assigned to the traffic detail could not prevent.
3. The executive suites on the eighth floor were the most heavily viewed.
4. The recreation facilities on the ground floor also attracted a number of visitors.
5. The vaults were visited by a continuous stream of people throughout the event.

James Gamble Rogers claimed that the building was the “largest building of Colonial design in the world.”  This claim is still heard today, and it even made the building’s Wikipedia page.

1. The Courant checked license plates on cars parked along Farmington Avenue and on Aetna’s property; they were able to determine that the owners of the cars were from many cities around the state and also from beyond Connecticut.
2. The crowd hoped that there would be another open house, as “the press was so great, all the afternoon, that appreciation of many of the finest details and decorative effects was not possible.”
3. Morgan Brainard told the Courant that “the company has not yet considered the possibility of further invitation to the public to inspect the building but that undoubtedly this would be done if the demand is general.”

1. “In a city which boasts not a few notable buildings, the new structure is outstanding. The gold dome which tips the great mass of the building adds an impressive point to the skyline of the city.”
2. “First glimpsed through he grove of magnificent old trees, spared most fortunately in the building operations, the tremendous proportions of the building are at once apparent.”
3. “Its location on Farmington Avenue is another indication of the development which is taking place along the thoroughfare.”
4. “Within the building is to be found ample evidence of the enlightened and progressive policies which have characterized the insurance companies of Hartford.”
5. “Happily, the character of the buildings and the grounds harmonizes admirably with the surroundings, and the saving of the grove of trees which stood on the location is a matter upon which the Aetna, the neighborhood and the city can congratulate themselves.”
6. “The opening will be simple and devoid of ceremony. It will be largely an Aetna family affair.”
7. “The largest crowd ever assembled here for anything short of a great patriotic celebration, conservatively estimated at 25,000 persons, passed through the new home office building of the Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliated companies on Farmington Avenue, Thursday afternoon. It was the most decorous crowd ever gathered in the city, and it was representative of Hartford.”
8. “The interest of the crowd in each detail of the gigantic and beautiful structure was remarkable: a graphic demonstration of the pride Hartford people take in their beautiful buildings, whether of public or private ownership.”
9. “Many were overheard expressing the opinion that surely there is no more convenient or more finely appointed office building anywhere.”
10. “All the offices are spacious, finely appointed, the light is splendid everywhere, and the ventilation will be perfection, even on the warmest days of summer.”

1. Morgan Bulkeley Brainard was president of Aetna Life Insurance Company.
2. Esther Nelson was a well-known Hartford organist who lived on Blue Hills Avenue.
3. James Gamble Rogers was the architect. He also designed multiple buildings at Yale University, including the Harkness Memorial Tower.

Unattributed.  “Aetna building to open officially New Year’s Day,” Hartford Courant, December 30, 1930, page 3.

Unattributed.  “Aetna building viewed by vast, orderly throng,” Hartford Courant, January 2, 1931, page 1.

Unattributed.  “Aetna Life opens new home today,” Hartford Courant, January 1, 1931, page 1.

Unattributed.  “Intimate glimpses of new home of Aetna Life and affiliated companies,” Hartford Courant, January 1, 1931, page 16.

Unattributed.  “The new Aetna building,” Hartford Courant, January 2, 1931, page 14.