Person Record
Metadata
Name |
Harmsen, William D. Sr. |
Othernames |
Bill |
Born |
June 24, 1912 |
Birthplace |
St. Paul, MN |
Deceased |
April 10, 2002 |
Deceased where |
Wheat Ridge, CO |
Places of residence |
Wheat Ridge, CO Denver, CO |
Titles & honors |
He was also a generous philanthropist who donated much of the land that became Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Colorado. Harmsen and his wife were also avid Western art collectors. They had collected thousands of prestigious pieces by the time they donated about 3,000 items, including 800 paintings, to the Denver Art Museum in 2001. The collection, which they amassed over four decades, included major works by Georgia O'Keeffe, Frederic Remington, N.C. Wyeth, Robert Henri and George Catlin, and instantly made the museum's inventory of Western art one of the most impressive in the country. |
Father |
Ludwig Harmsen |
Mother |
Alice |
Education |
St. Thomas College, St. Paul |
Notes |
In 2001, the Harmsens donated more than 3,000 artworks and artifacts to the Denver Art Museum, where Dorothy onced served as a board member. |
Occupation |
Barnesville Oil Company Inland Airlines Continental Airlines, pilot Jolly Rancher Candy, co-founder and president until 1977 |
Role |
Business |
Spouse |
Dorothy |
Children |
William Jr. Michael W. Robert |
Related Records
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2016.022.002 - "How You Can Make Money with a Jolly Rancher Franchise"
2016.022
Record Type: Archive
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2019.065.002 - "In the High Country: Settlers on the Land at Golden Gate Canyon State Park"
2019.065
Record Type: Archive
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2020.050.004 - Bill Harmsen loading a car with "Jolly Rancher Ice Cream and Candy" sign
2020.050
Record Type: Photographs
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