Armsmear facts for kids
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Samuel Colt Home
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U.S. National Historic Landmark District
Contributing Property |
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Armsmear
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 80 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1855 |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
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Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 13, 1966 |
| Designated NHLDCP | November 13, 1966 |
| Designated CP | November 17, 1977 |
Armsmear, which means "meadow of arms," is a historic house located in Hartford, Connecticut. It was the family home of Samuel Colt, a famous inventor and manufacturer of firearms. Armsmear was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1976. This means it's a very important place in American history. Later, in 2008, its special status was expanded to include the surrounding area, creating the Coltsville Historic District.
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A Special Home: Armsmear
Armsmear was built for Samuel Colt's marriage to Elizabeth Hart Jarvis in 1856. The house was designed by an unknown architect. It stood on a hill overlooking the recently finished Colt Armory, where Colt's firearms were made.
Building a Dream Home
People at the time described Armsmear as an "Italian villa." It was a large, impressive stone house. It had a low-pitched roof and a heavy, decorative edge called a "bracketed cornice." The doors and windows were rounded at the top. The house also featured iron balconies and an Italian-style tower. Some parts even had unique Turkish domes and pointed decorations called pinnacles.
Grand Gardens and Parties
The Colt family moved into Armsmear in 1857. They immediately started to create beautiful gardens. Famous landscape designers, Cleveland and Copeland, helped plan the grounds. Between 1861 and 1862, special glass-domed buildings called conservatories were added. These were inspired by London's amazing Crystal Palace.
The estate eventually had about 2,600 feet (790 meters) of greenhouses. It also featured lovely ponds, decorative fountains, and even a deer park. Samuel and Elizabeth Colt used Armsmear as their main home. They loved to host big parties there, which were a major highlight of Hartford's social scene.
Samuel Colt lived in Armsmear for about five years until he passed away in 1862. He was first buried on the estate grounds. After his death, Elizabeth Hart Colt and her son, Caldwell Hart Colt, continued to live in the large home for many decades. In 1894, Elizabeth moved Samuel Colt and four of their children's graves to Cedar Hill Cemetery.
A Lasting Legacy
Elizabeth Colt passed away in 1905. According to her will, the house was turned into a home for Episcopal women in 1911. This residential community is still managed by the Colt Trust today. Elizabeth also donated 140 acres (57 hectares) of Armsmear's land. This land was used to create Colt Park for the city of Hartford. Over time, the city replaced the old greenhouses, gardens, and ponds with sports fields and a skating rink for everyone to enjoy.
Images for kids
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Armsmear
