Connecticut's Old State House

Saturday, July 11, 2009 The Old State House hosted its first Summer Saturday on July 11. This day was set up as an exciting pre-Riverfest event. The day’s happenings included guided and self-guided tour options, craft activities, a new exhibit in the Comptroller’s office, a hands-on activity room, a scavenger hunt in the “History Is All Around Us” exhibit in the Mortensen Gallery, a Civil War tent and market in the Holcombe Center, and many Living History Performances. Living History characters included Hannah Watson, former Connecticut Courant publisher, Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., the fifth Connecticut Governor, Governor and Mrs. Buckingham, Connecticut’s Civil War Governor and his wife, Noah Webster, politician and author of the first American dictionary, and Joseph Steward, portrait artist and proprietor of Steward’s Museum. There was also a Civil War Encampment outside on the lawn all day which helped take visitors back to the time of the Civil War. They were able to experience how it felt to be up close and personal with soldiers stationed at a camp during the Civil War. Additionally, July 11 was the opening day of the Old State House Store! Friday, July 10, 2009 On Friday, July 10, 2009, the Old State House welcomed local rock and blues band The Blue Cherry Band for a free public concert on the lawn outside. On the other end of the lawn was Travelers, who set up tents and delighted the public with giveaways, including free t-shirts. Additionally, Sidewalk Sam was in State House Square, and children and their families were able to help draw an artistic mural on the brick walking area. All of the activity on the lawn attracted upwards of 1,000 people to this area of Hartford! 2009 Connecticut Open House Day

Over 175 curious visitors stopped by on June 13th to take advantage of Connecticut’s Open House Day at the Old State House. The day’s events at the museum included living history characters, scavenger hunt, guided history tours, arts & crafts and more! A special performance of Prudence Crandall & the Struggle for Equal Opportunity was given by the Connecticut History Day First Place team in the Junior Group category. The students were from Mansfield Middle School. Other performances of the day included Living History portrayals of the fifth Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. and former Connecticut Courant publisher Hannah Watson as well as accomplished Connecticut resident, politician and author of the first American dictionary, Noah Webster.
2009 Travelers Championship Events

On Wednesday May 13th 2009, Connecticut’s Old State House hosted the Travelers Championship’s “Red Umbrella Challenge,” kicking off fundraisers for the upcoming golf tournament with a mini golf game between media, tournament officials and Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez. The Red Umbrella Challenge had competitors face off on one hole set up on the Old State House Lawn. Instead of golf clubs, competitors used red umbrellas to hit their golf balls. Hartford Courant Sports Writer Tom Yantz took first place in the event, while WTIC News/Talk 1080 Sports Commentator Scott Gray acted as the Master of Ceremonies. After the media participated, curious onlookers were able to give the entire 9-hole course a try. Chip In For Charities and Birdies for Charities, the two fundraising programs kicked off by the Red Umbrella Challenge, will run the length of the tournament. Stop by Connecticut’s Old State House on June 16th for the official re-naming of Central Row to Champions Row in honor of the Travelers Championship. The street name change will last the duration of the tournament. Tickets for the tournament are available at the visitor’s desk at Connecticut’s Old State House. The tickets sell for $20, $12 below gate admission. Tickets will be available until June 26th.
2009 Inauguration Event

On Tuesday January 20^th, the world welcomed a new president of the United States and Connecticut’s Old State House opened its door to the public, free of charge, to witness the historic event with a television viewing of the ceremony.

Once the seat of our state government, Connecticut’s Old State House offered the perfect setting as the United States inaugurated its new president. Over 150 people sat in the courtroom as President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden took their oaths of office. The group clapped and laughed together, some even cried out with happiness. Visitors were allowed to bring their lunches and also had the opportunity to tour the museum when the speeches were over.

A camera crew from NBC 30 was on hand to cover the event.

Connecticut’s Old State House served as the Connecticut State Capitol from 1796 to 1873. The building was built with the hopes and dreams of democracy and a brighter future. As today’s event demonstrated, it still serves as “the people’s house” today and remains open to the public year-round as a museum and learning center.

First Night 2009 - Bringing in the New Year with Old State House

What if you could step back in time and talk to someone who worked, voted and walked the halls of the Old State House—when it was the New State House?

On New Year’s Eve, visitors celebrating First Night in Hartford had just that opportunity.

After exploring the Old State House and participating in modern and historic craft activities, visitors found themselves in the building’s House Chamber facing a large screen.

A booming voice called the House of Representatives to order and asked if anyone had business.

Suddenly, Noah Webster appeared on the screen. At first blush, he appeared to be part of a simple video-taped presentation.

However, within moments, he called on people in the House audience to tell him about issues facing the Legislature today. He reflected on how those issues compared with the ones that he dealt with as a member of the House of Representatives between 1802 and 1807.

Born and raised in West Hartford before the Revolution, Noah grew up to write the first American Dictionary. But his interest in the new United States and its success led him into politics as well. He represented New Haven as a member of the House, and before that, served on the Building Committee, charged with creating a “new” state house in the 1790s.

This event represents just one of the program ideas tested by the education team at the Old State House since the Connecticut Public Affairs Network (CPAN) began managing its education and community programming in late 2008.

“First Night gave us a welcome opportunity to experiment with new ideas and cutting edge technology, collect visitor feedback and work with other CT museums to reach people in innovative ways,” said Sally Whipple, Director of Education and Community Programming.

Relying on the technical expertise of CPAN staff, the Old State House educators delivered history and civics in a way that would challenge most museums. But the creative pairing of museum educators with CPAN, which operates CT-N, enables Connecticut’s Old State House to experiment with fun and unusual teaching techniques that blend technology with authentic, historical experiences.

In addition to help from visitors and CPAN, the event received support from the Noah Webster House, the Lebanon Historical Society Museum and the Nathan Hale Homestead. These organizations provided information and period clothing to Old State House staff and volunteers. Several members of the CT Sons of the American Revolution traveled through a snow storm to ring in the New Year in military garb.

The success of First Night at Connecticut’s Old State House relied on the collaborative efforts of its community programming partners, Connecticut Public Affairs Network and Strategic Business Solutions.

Strategic Business Solutions added a modern twist to the event by working with a team of youth volunteers to help kids make New Year’s party hats and tambourines, tell stories and perform impromptu plays. Their lively activities added to the fun and ensured that the event held something for everyone.

The Connecticut General Assembly would like to thank the Lebanon Historical Society, Nathan Hale Homestead, Connecticut Sons of the American Revolution and the Noah Webster House for their participation and support in kicking off a New Year and a new endeavor that plans to continue working collaboratively to bring the public into “the people’s house” to explore our state’s history and government.

Connecticut's Old State House

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