Connecticut’sConnecticut’s Old State HouseOld State House

Hartford’s State House Square has been a center for Connecticut political,

commercial and cultural activity since Thomas Hooker first settled Hartford in

1635. Three public meeting houses have stood on this site.

From 1796 to 1873, Connecticut’s three branches of state government

alternated business between state houses in Hartford and New Haven every

other year.

A HubA Hub

The marble floor of our welcome area features an inlaid compass reminding us of the central The marble floor of our welcome area features an inlaid compass reminding us of the central

role played by the Old State House in Connecticut politics, culture and commerce.role played by the Old State House in Connecticut politics, culture and commerce.

Throughout Connecticut, rock slabs served as “milestones”. The one above measures the Throughout Connecticut, rock slabs served as “milestones”. The one above measures the

distance to the Old State House, often referred to as the “Hartford Court House”. distance to the Old State House, often referred to as the “Hartford Court House”.

A “Civic Center”A “Civic Center”

For more than 200 years, the Old State House has witnessed protests, political speeches,

New Year’s celebrations, military musters, famous trials, concerts and farmers’ markets.

The Great HallThe Great Hall

Originally, the Old State House’s Great Hall, spanning first and

second floors, was open to the outdoors. Iron spiral staircases

on the exterior of the building provided access to the upper

level. 20th century renovations to the Great Hall include the

addition of doors, windows and an interior grand staircase.

The CourtroomThe Courtroom

Have you ever served on a jury or sat in on a court trial?

In the Courtroom of the Old State House, judges presided over cases ranging

from mundane civil disputes to infamous murder trials. Citizens from all walks

of life entered this room to stand before justice and have their day in court.

Senate Chamber

The Governor’s Council met privately in this room until the 1818 Connecticut

Constitution dissolved the Council and formed the elected Senate. The

Senate welcomed citizens into the chamber to observe legislative debates.

Have you ever attended a legislative session or governor’s speech at the

Capitol, or watched coverage of a state Capitol event on the Connecticut

Network (CT-N)?

House Chamber

A few of the notable legislators who served in this House Chamber

included showman, P.T. Barnum; American Dictionary author, Noah

Webster; and President Lincoln’s wartime Secretary of the Navy,

Gideon Welles.

The House Chamber has been restored to the Victorian period of the

1890s when the Hartford city council held their meetings here. The

desks and chairs date from the 1870s.

Steward’s Museum of Curiosities

In 1796, the Connecticut General Assembly allowed Rev. Joseph Steward to

occupy space in the Old State House for use as a portrait studio. A year later, Rev.

Steward established a “Curiosity Room” on the third floor which featured wonders

and treasures from around the world.

Reproduced today and located on the second floor, Steward’s collection includes a

two-headed calf, original Steward portraits, an alligator and much more!

In what ways do museums continue to educate people today?

Statue of Justice

In 1827, this gilt-covered wooden statue of Lady Justice was placed atop

the State House cupola, facing the Connecticut River to the east. One

hundred forty-nine years later she was moved inside for preservation.

Today a fiberglass replica replaces the original on the top of the building.

Do you think Connecticut’s judicial system provided “justice for all” in the

1800s? Has that system changed in our 21st century?

Hartford City Hall PeriodHartford City Hall Period

In 1878, state government moved to a new State Capitol. The “old” State House was then redecorated and repurposed to serve as Hartford's city hall until 1915.

Numerous times in the intervening century, the Old State House has been threatened with demolition, and every time, citizens have joined together to save it through donations of both time and money.

Would you offer your time and money to save and support a historic structure?

Emily Seymour Goodwin Holcombe CenterEmily Seymour Goodwin Holcombe Center

The Emily Seymour Goodwin Holcombe Center provides a lively space for The Emily Seymour Goodwin Holcombe Center provides a lively space for

families and students to learn. Children can explore hands-on history activities, families and students to learn. Children can explore hands-on history activities,

design their own state house on a Lego table, play in a replica of the Charter design their own state house on a Lego table, play in a replica of the Charter

Oak and discover Hartford’s history through engaging murals that tell the city’s Oak and discover Hartford’s history through engaging murals that tell the city’s

story.story.

The mural above depicts the tightrope walker who made his precarious journey The mural above depicts the tightrope walker who made his precarious journey

between the Old State House and a nearby bank in 1869! What piece of between the Old State House and a nearby bank in 1869! What piece of

Connecticut history would you choose to illustrate on a mural?Connecticut history would you choose to illustrate on a mural?

Mortensen GalleryMortensen Gallery

The interactive The interactive History Is All Around UsHistory Is All Around Us exhibition in the Mortensen Gallery exhibition in the Mortensen Gallery

allows you to explore over 300 years of Hartford and Connecticut history. allows you to explore over 300 years of Hartford and Connecticut history.

The original G. Fox Department Store sign, Mark Twain’s bicycle, and a 1912 fire The original G. Fox Department Store sign, Mark Twain’s bicycle, and a 1912 fire

engine are all on view, along with hundreds of other ordinary and extraordinary engine are all on view, along with hundreds of other ordinary and extraordinary

objects that tell the story of our capital city.objects that tell the story of our capital city.

Do you own an historical object that you might be willing to donate to a museum?Do you own an historical object that you might be willing to donate to a museum?

Connecticut’s Old State House TodayConnecticut’s Old State House Today

Today, Connecticut’s Old State House continues to be a gathering place for Today, Connecticut’s Old State House continues to be a gathering place for

debate, discussion, and civic participation during events held year-round, debate, discussion, and civic participation during events held year-round,

including a variety of youth programs and our free noon time Lecture Series. including a variety of youth programs and our free noon time Lecture Series.

  

We hope you can visit Connecticut’s Old State House soon!

For more information on Admission Fees and Hours of Operation keep browsing our website or call 860-522-6766.