The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
A nonprofit performing arts center in Hartford, Connecticut, known for presenting Broadway productions, concerts, theater, dance, and other live performances.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, commonly called The Bushnell and formerly known as Bushnell Memorial Hall, is a nonprofit performing arts venue at 166 Capitol Street in Hartford, Connecticut. It operates as a presenter of touring and locally relevant performing arts programming and is marketed as one of Connecticut's leading cultural institutions. Its activities include Broadway and theatrical productions, symphonic and orchestral performances, concerts, dance, family programming, educational and community-oriented events, and use of its facilities for performances and civic gatherings. The institution's original building, Mortensen Hall, was created as a living memorial to the Reverend Dr. Horace Bushnell, a Hartford minister, theologian, philosopher, and civic leader. His daughter, Dotha Bushnell Hillyer, commissioned the memorial project. The cornerstone was laid on October 16, 1928, at the intersection of Capitol Avenue and Trinity Street, and the building opened in 1930. The project was designed by Corbett, Harrison, and MacMurray, architects also associated with Radio City Music Hall. Mortensen Hall combines a Georgian Revival exterior with a richly decorated Art Deco interior, reflecting the memorial's historical and artistic ambitions. Mortensen Hall seats approximately 2,800 people. Its interior contains a large ceiling mural titled "Drama," painted by Barry Faulkner with assistance from artists who had studied as Prix de Rome scholars. The venue also houses a 5,600-pipe Austin Organ manufactured in Hartford in 1929. The organ was restored in the mid-1980s. The hall is named for William H. Mortensen, who became the institution's managing director at a young age and remained in that role for approximately four decades. Mortensen later served as mayor of Hartford from 1943 to 1945. The Bushnell expanded its facilities in 2002 with the opening of the 906-seat Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater. The Belding Theater, named for longtime trustee Maxwell Belding and his family, gave the organization a more flexible second performance space alongside the much larger Mortensen Hall. The Hartford Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at the center, making The Bushnell an important venue for orchestral music in the region. Beyond presenting performances, The Bushnell has participated in theatrical development and presenting networks. In 2005, it joined other major performing arts organizations in forming Five Cent Productions, a producing consortium that later partnered with Elephant Eye Theatrical. Elephant Eye developed and produced new book musicals, including Saved! and The Addams Family, and was associated with the Broadway development of An American in Paris. The Bushnell has also participated in the Independent Presenters Network, a consortium of Broadway presenters and performing arts centers that circulates productions across North America and Japan. The center's historical programming includes appearances by Sammy Davis Jr., Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Judy Garland, and Jimi Hendrix. These engagements illustrate the venue's longstanding role as a major stop for touring popular music as well as theatrical and classical programming. Today, The Bushnell remains an active nonprofit cultural venue serving Hartford, Connecticut, and audiences throughout the broader New England region.
History
The Bushnell's history is rooted in Hartford's civic and religious life. The institution was established as a memorial to the Reverend Dr. Horace Bushnell, a prominent Hartford minister, theologian, philosopher, and civic leader who lived from 1802 to 1876. His daughter, Dotha Bushnell Hillyer, developed the memorial as a cultural institution intended to honor his legacy while providing Hartford with a major public venue for the arts. The original building was designed by Corbett, Harrison, and MacMurray, the architectural firm associated with New York's Radio City Music Hall. Its cornerstone was laid on October 16, 1928, at the corner of Capitol Avenue and Trinity Street. A sealed copper box placed with the cornerstone contained contemporary civic and historical materials, including a Hartford city directory, local newspapers, writings by Horace Bushnell, institutional governing documents, excerpts from Connecticut statutes, and examples of United States currency. The building was completed in 1930. Construction of the original facility and Mortensen Hall cost approximately $2.8 million at the time and reportedly finished below the original budget. The resulting theater was named Mortensen Hall in honor of William H. Mortensen. Mortensen joined the organization when he was 24 and became managing director at 25 in 1927. He remained in that leadership role until his retirement in 1968, overseeing much of the venue's early institutional development. He also served as mayor of Hartford from 1943 to 1945. Mortensen Hall's architectural design pairs a conservative Georgian Revival exterior with an Art Deco interior. The contrast was understood within the institution as a symbolic distinction between the traditional public image associated with Horace Bushnell and the modern theological ideas associated with him. Mortensen Hall became notable not only for its size, with seating for roughly 2,800, but also for its decorative and technical features. The ceiling mural "Drama," painted by Barry Faulkner with assistance from three Prix de Rome art scholars, occupies a large suspended surface above the auditorium. The hall also contains a 5,600-pipe Austin Organ produced by the Hartford-based Austin Organ Company in 1929. The organ underwent a major restoration during the mid-1980s. For much of the twentieth century, Bushnell Memorial Hall served as a prominent Connecticut stop for touring entertainment. Its programming crossed genres, including popular music, theatrical performance, and orchestral work. Documented performers include Sammy Davis Jr., Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Judy Garland, and Jimi Hendrix. Judy Garland performed a two-night engagement with a 26-piece orchestra in October 1967, while the Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared in March 1968. These engagements reinforced the venue's identity as both a formal concert hall and a destination for nationally and internationally known touring artists. The institution expanded in the early twenty-first century. In 2002, the Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater opened with 906 seats. Designed by Wilson, Butler, and Lodge, the theater was named for longtime trustee Maxwell Belding and his family. The addition allowed The Bushnell to accommodate productions and events requiring a smaller or more adaptable space while retaining Mortensen Hall for large-scale presentations. The Hartford Symphony Orchestra has regularly used the center for performances. The Bushnell also broadened its role from presenter to participant in theatrical production. In 2005, it joined the Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera Association in forming Five Cent Productions. The consortium later partnered with Elephant Eye Theatrical, which was led by theatrical producers including Stuart Oken and Michael Leavitt. Elephant Eye focused on originating and developing new book musicals, funding their creative evolution and serving as a lead producer when projects reached full production. Associated productions included Saved!, The Addams Family, and An American in Paris. The Bushnell has additionally participated in the Independent Presenters Network, a consortium of Broadway presenters, theaters, and performing arts centers. Through that network, productions have been brought to audiences across more than 110 cities in North America and Japan. The institution's history therefore encompasses memorial architecture, local cultural stewardship, touring presentation, symphonic performance, and collaboration in the development of Broadway-oriented theater. It continues to operate as a nonprofit performing arts center serving Hartford and the wider Connecticut and New England audience base.
- 2005
The Bushnell joins Five Cent Productions
[1]The Bushnell joined a consortium of performing arts organizations that later partnered with Elephant Eye Theatrical.
- 2002
Belding Theater opens
[1]The 906-seat Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater opened as an additional performance venue.
- 1980
William H. Mortensen dies
[1]William H. Mortensen, the longtime managing director and former Hartford mayor, died in 1980.
- 1968
Jimi Hendrix Experience performs
[1]The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared at the venue on March 22.
- 1967
Rolling Stones and Judy Garland engagements
[1]The Rolling Stones performed at the venue, and Judy Garland undertook a two-night engagement with a 26-piece orchestra on October 20 and 21.
- 1965
Bob Dylan performs at Bushnell Memorial Hall
[1]Bob Dylan appeared at the venue on October 30.
- 1963
Peter, Paul and Mary appear
[1]Peter, Paul and Mary performed at Bushnell Memorial Hall on December 13.
- 1962
Sammy Davis Jr. performs at the venue
[1]Sammy Davis Jr. gave a one-night performance at Bushnell Memorial Hall on December 9.
- 1930
Mortensen Hall completed
[1]The original Bushnell memorial building and its principal auditorium were completed.
- 1928
Cornerstone laid for the memorial hall
[1]The cornerstone of the original building was laid on October 16 at Capitol Avenue and Trinity Street in Hartford.
Products and positioning
A major nonprofit regional performing arts presenter and historic cultural venue, combining large-scale touring productions with concerts, orchestral programming, theater development, and community access in Hartford.
Concert hall and theater · 1930
Mortensen Hall
The original principal auditorium of The Bushnell, completed in 1930 and seating approximately 2,800 people. Designed by Corbett, Harrison, and MacMurray, it combines a Georgian Revival exterior with an Art Deco interior. Its major features include the large ceiling mural "Drama" and a 5,600-pipe Austin Organ manufactured in Hartford in 1929.
Theater · 2002
Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater
A 906-seat theater opened in 2002 and named for longtime trustee Maxwell Belding and his family. Designed by Wilson, Butler, and Lodge, it supplements Mortensen Hall by providing a smaller performance space for theater, music, touring productions, and other events.
Live theater
Broadway and touring presentations
The Bushnell presents touring Broadway productions and other theatrical events to Hartford-area audiences. Its presenting role is supported by participation in national and international presenter networks that circulate productions among performing arts centers.
Orchestral music
Hartford Symphony Orchestra performances
The center regularly hosts the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, providing a principal venue for symphonic performances and contributing to the region's classical music infrastructure.
Theatrical development and production · 2005
Elephant Eye Theatrical partnership
Through Five Cent Productions, The Bushnell became a producing partner in Elephant Eye Theatrical, a company focused on developing new book musicals for Broadway and other stages. Associated projects included Saved!, The Addams Family, and An American in Paris.
Brand decisions
2005
Participate in a consortium for new musical developmentStrategyBackground
The Bushnell sought to participate in the creation and financing of new theatrical works in addition to presenting completed touring productions.
Action taken
It joined Five Cent Productions with other performing arts organizations and became a producing partner in Elephant Eye Theatrical.
Aftermath
The partnership was associated with the development and production of new musicals including Saved!, The Addams Family, and An American in Paris.
2002
Expand the campus with a second theaterStrategyBackground
The Bushnell added capacity beyond its historic 2,800-seat Mortensen Hall in order to support programming requiring a smaller auditorium.
Action taken
The organization opened the 906-seat Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater.
Aftermath
The expanded facility provided a second venue for theatrical, musical, and other live events.
Recent events
- 2005
The Bushnell joins theatrical producing partnership[1]
M&A · Other
The Bushnell joined other performing arts organizations in Five Cent Productions and subsequently became a producing partner in Elephant Eye Theatrical, a company focused on developing new musicals.
- 2002
The Belding Theater opens at The Bushnell[1]
Other
The 906-seat Maxwell M. and Ruth R. Belding Theater opened as a second major performance space at the Hartford arts center.
Sources1 sources
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