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 first public building design. Today, the State House is managed by the Office of Legislative Management, which is part of the Connecticut General Assembly.
The outside of the building and the Senate room have been brought back to their original look. This style is called Federal style. The room for the Representatives looks more Victorian. The hallways and courtroom have a 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. However, all the materials used to build the Old State House came from the United States.
The first floor is about 20 feet tall. It is made from brownstone from Portland, Connecticut. The second and third floors are made of brick. These bricks are laid in a special pattern called Flemish bond. The decorative top edge, called a cornice, is made of wood.
The State House has changed a bit since it was first built. When it was new, it did not have a balustrade (a row of small posts) or a cupola (a small dome on the roof). The balustrade was added in the early 1800s to help 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 and led to the upper floors. This staircase is no longer there.
Important Events at the State House
Many important events happened at the Old State House. In 1814, the Hartford Convention took place there. This was a series of meetings for political leaders. In 1839, a very important court case began there. It was called the Amistad trial. This trial was about a group of enslaved 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 in the United States.
Today, visitors can explore exhibits about Hartford's history. They can also learn about important events in Connecticut's past. You can even tour the original rooms where lawmakers used to meet.
Joseph Steward Museum of Curiosities
The Museum of Natural and Other Curiosities is on the third floor of the Old State House. This museum shows what Joseph Steward's original collection looked like. He started his collection of natural history items and interesting objects in 1798. It's a fun place to see old and unusual things!
Haunted Stories
Over the years, some people have said they experienced strange things inside the Old State House. Most of these people were staff members. In 2009, a group called TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) investigated the building. They were filming for their TV show Ghost Hunters on the Sci Fi Channel. The episode aired on December 9, 2009.
During their investigation, TAPS said they recorded unusual sounds. They heard something that sounded like a doorknob opening in the Senate Room, even though no one was there. They also recorded what sounded like a woman sighing in the Steward Museum room. No female team members were in the building at that time. TAPS plans to go back for more investigation. So, for now, the mystery of the Old State House remains 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
