Remember this tag line? Introduced by Aetna in 1982, it helped to create brand name recognition for the company across the nation. I met a friend for coffee at Aetna today and decided the building would be a great subject for Thursday Doors, a weekly round-up hosted by Norm 2.0.
According to the website’s history page, Aetna Life Insurance Company was incorporated in 1853. Aetna occupied various offices in Hartford in its early years, but in 1929 construction began on the massive Colonial Revival building at 151 Farmington Avenue in Hartford. Completed in 1931, at one time the building was the largest colonial style building in the world. Perhaps it still is!
The tower atop the building is modeled after the Connecticut Old State House, and according to Emporis.com the building is approximately 87 feet and 7 stories tall and has 6 elevators. The architect for the building was James Gamble Rogers of New York, New York who was responsible for designing a number of buildings at Yale and other universities as well as the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in New York.
Along with Hartford Fire, Connecticut Mutual and others, Aetna helped to make Hartford the “Insurance Capital of the World”. A few other interesting facts from the website’s history page:
- 1908 – Aetna hires its first female employee, Julia Kinghorn, a telephone switchboard operator.
- 1912 – Several people insured by Aetna lose their lives on the Titanic.
- 1931 – Aetna bonds the construction of the Hoover Dam.
- 1944 – Aetna provides insurance for the Manhattan Project, which produced the world’s first atomic bomb.
- 1954 – Aetna orders its first computer, an IBM.
- 1972 – Aetna sponsors the Aetna World Cup, an international tennis challenge.
- 1986 – Aetna bonds the restoration of the Statue of Liberty.
In addition to these fun facts their site provides an excellent timeline of Aetna’s long and successful insurance company history as well as their vision for a better healthcare system.
My mother also worked there for a time as a newlywed after moving to Connecticut from Maryland. How different it must be today! It was a treat to visit their home office building and to see the care that has been taken with it over the years.
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My name is Deb Cohen, and I am a lifelong resident of Connecticut, a lover of all things historic and New England, and a realtor who helps buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals and dreams. When I’m not working, I enjoy life with my husband, our two adult children, and our two rescue pups. Renovating and decorating our historic home, dating to 1800, is another favorite pastime.
My dad worked at the Aetna for 26 years. When I was a kid they used to have a big Christmas party for the children of all the employees and they would show Bugs Bunny cartoons in the auditorium. My memory of it is that it was very much like the Jorgensen or the Bushnell. Just beautiful inside.
Awesome! I didn’t see the inside of the auditorium, but walked past the closed doors with my friend. She said it is “just the same” as it was (but maintained, of course). What a great memory you have!
Informative post, good that they have a vision for better healthcare.
They certainly do – now to make it come to fruition!
Not compared to when I was born, Deb!!! 🙂
I do remember that tag line, Deb. Not sure I want to know what that tells me, but I remember it. 🙂
janet
1982 isn’t too long ago, Janet! Right??
That was meant to be a reply to your reply. Something when off the rails.
Yes – I am having issues with replies to replies which Joey poiinted out to me. I need to follow up with my theme developer!
Dingy room with multiple steam pipes running through. It was always about 90 degrees in there. I worked for Coopers too, from 1986 – 1988.
I was at Coopers starting in 1990! Just missed you! Too funny 🙂 then I landed in the wonderful world of insurance in 1993.
A beautiful stately building. Great share!
Interesting! It sure is a beautiful building! 🙂
I spent many days tucked in the basement of that building when I was a consultant with Peat Marwick. It is a beautiful building.
I can only imagine what the basement looks like! I used to work for Coopers & Lybrand, by the way!
Thanks for the information. I am glad I read it.
Plus, your Mother worked there!
Oh my gosh I forgot about that! I need to update my post 🙂