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Celebrating 140 Years • The Hartford Club 7 term of two consecutive years. Mr. Hawley was the president during Mark Twain's membership. Sam Clemens became a member Dec. 7, 1881, and it is presumed he remained a member until he moved away from Hartford in 1891. What that means, though, is that Mark Twain never walked through the same doorways and hallways that we do today at 46 Prospect St. e current building wasn't constructed — specifically for e Hartford Club — until 1904 at a cost of $117,000 for both the land and the construction. Before that the club, although always located on Prospect Street, changed locations to existing houses several times. Nevertheless, Mark Twain remains the most famous member of e Hartford Club. Twain reappeared at the club in 1957 in the person of actor Hal Holbrook to entertain the members with Twain stories. Other famous members, however, have included governors, senators and other politicians whose names have become synonymous with various streets, roads, highways and bridges across the state. For instance, it was Gov. John Harper Trumbull — think Trumbull Street in downtown Hartford — who requested that the club have the testimonial dinner for Charles Lindbergh. Gov. Wilbur L. Cross, a Democrat and a widower who worked with a Republican majority in the General Assembly, lived in e Hartford Club for the eight years (Connecticut's governor's mansion wouldn't open until 1945) he served as Connecticut's chief elected officer, beginning in 1931. And if the name sounds familiar, it's because the Wilbur Cross Parkway is named aer him. Raymond E. Baldwin, a former Republican 1931 One-hundred-and-thirty-two members resign due to the Great Depression. 1938 Former President Herbert Hoover addresses board meeting. Dinner included oysters, filet mignon, and lobster for $1.50 (or $24.88 in 2013 dollars). 1968 Travelers Company acquires back property of the club for $2 million; oversees million dollar renovation of clubhouse. 1920 1926 Kitchen fire prompts employees to carry out valuable paintings while Members playing billiards resist evacuation. A total of $130,000 worth of damage is incurred in the first floor lounge, second floor dining rooms, and third floor bedrooms. 1960 1963 First time a woman is allowed to lunch in the Main Dining Room. Entertainment has been a vital part of The Hartford Club over its 140 years with prominent speakers like ex-presidents and top-notch musical performances. Notables that have visited The Hartford Club include, from top: University of Connecticut Women's Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma (top), Gov. Dannel P. Malloy (himself an honorary member as are all Connecticut governors), WDRC-AM radio personality Brad Davis (above) and, left, CT State Treasurer Denise Nappier. 4 2