I was clueless to this family story… until I found this Tribune newspaper clipping (right) in an old box of things of my dad’s, Frank “Sully” Sullivan, that sat in a storage facility for 13 years after his death until now.

As was his way, Sully clipped this story from the Lewiston Tribune on or about March 4, 1952, and saved it to be rediscovered by the next generation.

STRANGER THAN FICTION? 

 What are the odds that just as we are celebrating America’s 250^th Anniversary year, I would stumble upon this news story?

The family connection to a famous relative, Howard Chandler Christy. is through my great uncle, Harry W. Christy, who along with my great aunt, Blanche (Sullivan) Christy were the 1st Generation “Pioneers” to have ownership in American Insurance.

HC Christy was commissioned by the US Constitution Sesquicentennial Commission in 1937 in preparation for the 150^th Anniversary of the Constitution. Then, in 1939 Congress officially employed the artist to paint an oil-on-canvas 20-by-30-foot scene of the signing of the US Constitution. The painting was finished and dedicated in 1940. Since late 1941, the famous painting has been displayed along the east stairway in the House of Representatives wing in the United States Capitol. Visit Wikipedia for more information. 

STRANGER STILL…

After I read the news story, I had goosebumps when I realized that not knowing this history, I had chosen this picture 22 years ago when I was decorating the new American Insurance office building entry way. It has been hanging in my office building since 2014, and I had no idea it had been painted by a famous relative… oooOOH….Goosebumps!

The HC Christy painting of the Signing of the US Constitution is on display in the American Insurance, Lewiston office entry. You are invited to come by for a cup of coffee and a take a look.