Old State House (Connecticut) facts for kids
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Old Statehouse
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Old State House (front facade)
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Hartford, Connecticut |
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| Built | 1792 |
| Architect | Charles Bulfinch |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000878 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 19, 1960 |
The Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut, was finished in 1796. Many people believe it was designed by a famous American architect named Charles Bulfinch. This was his very first public building. Today, the State House is managed by the state government. It is looked after by the Office of Legislative Management of the Connecticut General Assembly.
The outside of the building and the Senate room have been restored. They look like they did when they were first built in the Federal style. The room where representatives met is in the Victorian style. The hallways and courtroom show the Colonial Revival style.
Contents
Discovering the Old State House
The Hartford State House looks a lot like the Town Hall in Liverpool, England. That building was built in the mid-1700s. Charles Bulfinch might have seen pictures of it in his architecture books. But all the materials used to build the Old State House came from the United States.
Building Materials and Design
The first floor of the building is 20 feet tall. It is made from brownstone from Portland, Connecticut. The second and third floors are made of brick. The bricks are laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond. The decorative trim at the top, called the cornice, is made of wood.
Changes Over Time
The State House has changed a bit since it was first built. When it was new in 1796, it did not have a balustrade (a row of small pillars) or a cupola (a small dome on the roof). The balustrade was added in the early 1800s. It helped protect firefighters. The cupola was built in 1827. It has a bell and a statue of Justice by John Stanwood.
An original stone spiral staircase was built in 1796. It was designed by Asher Benjamin. This staircase led to the second and third floors. It is not there anymore.
Important Historical Events
Many important events happened here. In 1814, the Hartford Convention took place in the building. In 1839, a famous court case called the Amistad trial began here. This trial was about a group of Africans who fought for their freedom.
The building was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960. This means it is a very important historical place. Today, you can visit the Old State House. There are exhibits about Hartford's history. You can also see the original rooms where lawmakers met.
Joseph Steward Museum of Curiosities
The Museum of Natural and Other Curiosities is on the third floor. It is a fun place to explore. This museum shows what Joseph Steward's collection looked like in 1798. He collected many interesting natural history items and unusual objects.
Haunted Stories
Some people believe the Old State House is haunted. Staff members have said they experienced strange things inside the building. In 2009, a TV show called Ghost Hunters visited the Old State House. The investigators from TAPS looked for ghosts.
They said they recorded strange sounds. In the Senate Room, they heard something like a doorknob opening. No one was in the room at the time. In the Steward Museum room, they heard what sounded like a woman sighing. No female team members were in the building then. The team plans to go back for more investigation. So, the mystery of whether it is haunted is still open!
Images for kids
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The building in 1937
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The view from the front
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The cupola
See also
