A TOUR OF THE PORTRAIT COLLECTION
IN THE RICHARD W. WOOLWORTH LIBRARY (PART I)

The portraits shown here represent only a part of the Society's collection. Other portraits may be seen in the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House, at the Stonington Old Lighthouse Museum, the Ocean Bank Building (Fleet Bank on Cannon Square), and the Stonington Free Library. We were very pleased to be able to display these portraits: previously they had been in storage, and had not been archivally protected. It is with relief that we know they are now in this building with archival temperature controls.

Over the Librarian's desk

The portraits at either end are of Courtlandt Palmer (1800-1874) and his wife, Mary Ann Suydam of New York City and Stonington. These were painted circa 1858 by the Italian artist, Joseph Fagnani (1819-1873), who came to America from Naples in the late 1840's and enjoyed a great success as a portraitist. His work is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of New York City.

Courtlandt Palmer

Mary Ann Suydam

The portrait in the middle (which will be posted here soon) has not been not positively identified, but it is thought that it might be Mrs. Benjamin F. Babcock of Stonington, nee Maria Eells 1790-1852.

Continue to the East Wall Portraits

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