Behind the Scenes: Veeder House and Museum
This past weekend I was happy to join several photographers on One Elizabeth Street in the western part of Hartford. The circa 1928 former home of Curtis H. Veeder, his wife, a Hartford Public School Teacher, and their two daughters, is now the home of the Connecticut Historical Society. This well preserved 1920s Colonial Revival structure shines with influences of European architecture. Its upscale features are a wonderful representation of how Connecticut’s Hartford development was progressing at that time. As the Connecticut Historical Society explained during our tour, the home was constructed with amenities like an elevator, a central vacuum system, separate servants' quarters, and a private car-wash. These where the new standards in the ever growing affluent neighborhoods that sprung up in Hartford at the time.
We also were led on a tour of their Through a Different Lens: Three Connecticut Women Photographers Exhibit. My personal favorite part. I learned that colored potato starch was used in an early type of color photography. The process, called Autochrome Lumière, to my eye was very warmly toned with a richly saturated magenta tint and tiny graininess from the starch.
If you are in the West Hartford area and have a couple of hours, definitely stop in and see the home and museum exhibits. You will learn so much about Connecticut there. For example, did you know that Almond Joy candy bars are from Connecticut? Yum.
Go to www.chs.org and ask about their Behind the Scenes Tour.
