Frank Munsey, publisher of Munsey’s Magazine, built what was originally called the Munsey Building at 281 State Street in New London in 1896. In an attempt to avoid problems with unions in New York, Munsey housed his magazine publishing operation in the building, but after just six months, a strike by workers led Munsey to shut down the production in New London and convert the building to other uses. It opened as the Mohican Hotel in 1898 and would become one of the finest hotels in Connecticut. Architect William B. Tuthill, designer of New York’s Carnegie Hall (1891), utilized the same, and at that time still new, technique of steel-skeleton framing to create the tall building. In 1916, Munsey added two floors and a roof garden. In the 1980s, the building was converted into housing for the elderly.
Prompted to research having found a letter from the hotel (with facsimile of the building on the letter head and the envelope) dated 1907. Letter was from my Grand Uncle Gilbert Walker co. founder of Fowler Dick and Walker. Noticed the Manager of the Mohican at that time was an F. D. Walker and wondered if he was a relative
Hello Mr. Walker;
My name is Margaret Erickson and I live in the old Mohican Hotel which is now the Mohican Senior apartments. I am currently researching the history of the building. I would love to see the letter! Would you ever consider selling it? Or, if you are unable to part with it, might I purchase of copy of it? I love this old building and will share some of my old photos of it if you wish.
Thank you for your time,
Margaret Erickson
Hi Margaret
I saw your post that you were researching and living at the Mohican Senior apt. I am Trying to locate missing family for my half brother. The last address on his grandmothers death certificate is 281 Captians Walk i understand it to be State st Her name Beatrice Sullivan or maiden name Paquette born 1907 died Oct 1 1989 once married to Arthur Sullivan. She and her Daughter Shirley Sullivan or Dickhart are buried in New London at St Marys. I am in Florida so If you have any information at all i would be so very thank full.
sincerely Joann
Hi Joann,
Sorry I can’t help you with locate the people you are searching for. I am handicapped, (in a wheelchair due to polio) and unable to trace down any informaton. I suggest you contact the New London Historical Society. Good luck.
Hi Margaret,
I want to wish you the best in your research.
I have many wonderful memories of the old Mohican. My grandparents, John and Maud Haney, lived there from 1947 until 1968. They were on the 4th floor living on the Meridian Street side of the building where the is a small ell that juts out from the building. Their old room number was 463-A.
My memories of that particular time in my life are very strong, and I would be glad to share with you, if you are interested, the Mohican Hotel I personally remember, and frequently visted, as a young boy, and a young man.
John Haney III
Portsmouth, NH
What a grand lady the Mohican Hotel.
The visits to the roof top for Friday night Garveys ball room dancing for 7th and 8th graders are most memorable.
May she continue in all her glory.
Hi John,
Just read your entry-sorry it took so long. I would love to hear your memories of the building! I truly love this old hotel and anything you can share with me will be highly appreciated.
Please write when you can!
My Uncle Jean G Venetos owned the hotel until his death in 1971, later sold by his estate. He had purchased it from a Mr Dewart to whom the Walkers had sold I spent summers as a teenager working in the kithchen and later on the front desk. it was really the center of all communtiy activity in the area. i remember seeing Ed Murrow when he came to cover a submarine luanching. And who can forget the Friday night lobster specials
I was just doing a google search for the Mohican Hotel and came across this page. My father worked as a bartender there in the early 70’s. He was friends with John Venetos, maybe an uncle of your’s, James? I remember visiting John and his wife when they lived in Mystic in a small house they rented on Old New London Road (Rt. 1). Their children are my age but I don’t remember their names. I just remember eating homemade bread and herb tea at their house. Ironically, later on in life my father was actually a resident in the Senior Housing at the Mohican. He lived there until he passed in ’99. As a little girl I used to sit at the Mohican bar and drink Shirley Temples. Dad would give me dimes for the Juke Box. I would love to see any old photos of what the hotel looked like in it’s early, beautiful years. I had no idea it was owned by the Venetos family at one time. I look forward to hearing from any of you. Thanks, Kate
Quick correction to the above comment, it was George Venetos that I was speaking of when I said John. George and my father were friends at the Mohican back in the early 70s.
Hi Kate.I was really pleased to read of your memories of the Mohican. Your mother and father were great friends and we shared many wonderful times. I do remember you and you brother coming to the hotel. I,along with my father, Milton Venetos, managed the hotel from 1969 to 1974. I of course worked there as a teenager in the kitchen. The Mohican had been in the family since the early thirties and still remains an intrinsic part of family memories. Feel free to contact me at gvenetos@gmail.com.
I just listed (7/7/14) on ebay an item from the hotel that might interest some of you. Title is
“THE MOHICAN HOTEL New London CT Framed 1930 Notice Sign From Building” Item #331255695886.
I live here on the 9 Floor apartment E I .wanted you to see where i live
Gary this is a picture of where i live.
I remember when they had a Restaurant on the main floor.On the eleventh floor there was a ballroom for all the dances. Now the Ball room has a very Large TV the Library has a TV and the exercise room has a TV .So the people who live here can go up stairs and watch the TV.Cable company is to expensive to pay for it It’s over $70.00 a month, just for the cable.
i hope you enjoy seeing this building.Sheila
My Grandfather was the head Chef for this great hotel back in the 30’s and 40’s. My dad was the “toast chef” under him. I have attended many marriage receptions and gala dinners there as it was considered to be the Elite eating place for many a year. My memories surround this beautiful old style building. Wish I could ride the elevators again. Carmine Louis Zuliani “The Chef” as he was known by, was the first Chef to publish in the USA and was an active member of the Italian American Club.
Dear Victor H. Zuliani,
I just read your post here and would love to talk to you about your memories of the Mohican. You are welcome to come visit whenever you are able. I live in The Mohican and have been researching it’s wonderful past. I would love to “show you around” if you would like that. Please contact me at: MChrisRd49@ct.metrocast.net if you would be interested. Thanks for the memories you posted.
Margaret
I have the Elevater up down buttons mounted in brass housing. Was put in when building was built.
Looking to sell.
Hi Daniel,
I just saw your post and am extremely interested in the elevator buttons! Would it be possible for you to send me a picture of them? Send it to: 860-514-9751 or email me at: MChrisRd49@atlanticbb.net
How much are you asking for them?
Daniel R. Coleman, are you still around here? Please contact me! Thanks! Margaret Erickson.
Hello Margaret,
My uncle Jean Venetos owned the Mohican from the 30’s up until it was sold in 1977. In 1969 my parents and I ran the place restoring much of what was original. We were responsible for creating a much needed vibrant atmosphere that the building hadn’t see in some time. Mainly creating Roof Garden Café. My brother and I work summers as teenagers so was already quite familiar with the place. The architect responsible also designed Carnegie Hall
To share stories I can be reached at
venetosgeorge@gmail.com
For those of you not familiar with it- please look for the facebook page called: you’re probably from new london if… . there is a photo album on that page with many pictures inside and outside of the hotel
Hi all. I bought my neighbors house in Medford Massachusetts and while renovating yesterday found a full page ad introducing the Mohican on the back page of the Puritan volume one number 5 from May 1897. The advertisement is in excellent condition and I can post photos if anyone would like.
Hi all. I bought my neighbors house in Medford Massachusetts and while renovating yesterday found a full page ad introducing the Mohican on the back page of the Puritan volume one number 5 from May 1897. The advertisement is in excellent condition and I can post photos if anyone would like. My email is kohlerrobert@hotmail.com
Hi Bob Kohler. I would love to see pictures of the ad! I will contact you. Margaret Erickson
Margaret Erickson… You mail address didn’t work
viczuliani@netscape.net
51-627-5779
Here’s a copy. Any body reading this, call or write to answer questions.
Golly! Didn’t check back soon enough. I went back and found you had answered my comments. I was just trying to get back into researching Zuppa. I will have to look up some of recent past emails and get you the name of the Groton’s and somewhat the New London historians name. Pause…… Just did exactly that and could not find the total information. I do remember who it was. You might look him up in the NL or GRTN phone books. His name is James (Jim) Streeter. He is our historian of fact. He has dealt with my Brother Robert and if you call you can use me or him for reference as an introduction. It was in my brothers (Robert Zuliani) email a few days back where he was thanked by Jim for his donation to Groton’s history about my fathers (Carmine Louis’s son), place’s of businesses, donate to history by James. Have you in my email name list and if you want to know stories about the elevator….one..my sister and I used to push all the buttons and ride to every floor. two……The Peter Mariani family wedding receptions were held there and they were the truly great gala events of the time….made The Day Paper.
Must go. Have a lot of clean up from the heavy rains. We received a total of 11 inches around my housing area i three days.
Vic
PS Nice to meet you Margaret. Your stuck now. If we ever get to get back there from here in Austin, we will knock on your door.
I came upon this website by accident but I do remember the Mohegan Hotel.
I was born and raised in New London. The Mohegan Hotel was across the street from the First Baptist Church where I went to Sunday School. My uncle, Arthur Mortensen, was at the front desk for many years.
My recollection of the hotel was the ballroom on the top floor.In 1953-54 when attending Buckley Jr. High School, there were dance classes taught by Mr. Garvey, an insurance man who lived on Bank Street, just over the town line in Waterford near Mercer Field. He was dressed in a tuxedo as was his pianist. All the young men were in suits and ties and the young ladies were in special dresses. Boys were on one side of the ballroom and the girls were on the other side. Where the first boy and girl met you would walk around the ballroom and pair up and everyone would have a partner. We would then be taught different dances: Foxtrot, Waltz, Rumba, Tango, etc. It was quite a social event for a 13-14 year old. Is was an experience getting on the elevator and going all the way “to the top of the hotel” in your suit to learn how to dance.
I recall attending Miss Latham’s School Of Dance for ball room dance lessons . That walk across that wooden floor to ask a girl to dance was terrifying for a seventh grader but going up to the Capitol Candy Kitchen for icecream after class made it all worth while .