Branford's Literary Guests

Branford, Connecticut was a summer resort from the late 19th century until World War II. The shoreline and its nineteen summer hotels attracted many visitors including authors, poets, and playwrights such as Walter Winchell, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London, Ayn Rand, Helen Keller, and Dorothy Parker. Orson Welles and the Mercury Players were the permanent cast at the Stony Creek Theater in 1937 and premiered “Too Much Johnson” at the theatre. The internationally known poetess Ella Wheeler Wilcox was a year round resident of Short Beach and Mark Twain was a frequent guest at the Montowese House. The illustrated talk describes the many interesting visitors to Branford.
© 2013 Jane P. Bouley