Hartford Old State House  

History of the Old State House

Architecture - Preservation - Timeline - Photo History

Preservation

Old State House Abandoned
For almost 150 years, Connecticut's Old State House adjusted to political winds and fashion whims. No longer housing state or city government, the building faced a bleak future in 1915. It was used randomly as a community center and public comfort station.
New Start for Old State House

Private citizens came to the rescue of the historic State House in Hartford.

Gov. Bulkeley
Former Governor Morgan Gardner Bulkeley formed the Bulfinch Ten to raise funds to preserve the Old State House. Bulkeley announced on May 16, 1917 that he would give $5000 toward the restoration of the landmark building. He hoped that nine others would donate an equal amount. Donors and donations came in abundance, raising $103,000 in ten days. Although the building was saved from destruction and restored, its future remained uncertain.

Old State House Honored
On November 2, 1961 the National Park Service named the Old State House a National Historic Landmark. The building stood lonely and bleak for 40 years until the Connecticut Historical Society reopened it in 1959 to the public. It was hoped that the landmark status and new occupants would protect the building against future threats.

Our History for a Parking Lot
In 1975, the Hartford City Council decided to no longer maintain Connecticut's Old State House and the Connecticut Historical Society could not maintain it alone. The city wanted to tear down the National Historic Landmark for more parking space. A citizen group, the Old State House Steering Committee, formed to save the building. Within two months, the Steering Committee raised $40,000, adopted By-Laws, and renamed the organization the Old State House Association. On February 1, 1976, the City of Hartford and the Old State House Association agreed to a 99-year lease.

The Old State House Association surveyed the structure to prove it was worth saving. Several problems were discovered, such as the leaking roof, the hazardous Houses of Comfort, and unsafe structural portions. The repairs and restoration would cost over $850,000. The Association established a permanent endowment of $1,000,000 for the building.

Landmark Still Has a Future
Beginning in 1992, a complete restoration of the Old State House was planned. Twelve million dollars was raised from private, corporate, city, state and Federal sources. From 1992 through 1996, the building was closed to the public and made structurally sound and historically accurate.

State House Reopens
On May 11, 1996, the Old State House reopened to the public with a new goal. The building would be used to share, teach, and make history. New historical and educational programs celebrate the heritage of Connecticut. The programs and reenactments delighted visitors and school children.

The reopening celebrations of the building intended to restore the landmark as a cultural focus for downtown Hartford. A parade with fife and drum corps and participants from nearly all of the 169 Connecticut towns marched to the Old State House.

The historic second floor represents three eras of architecture, Federal (Senate Chamber), Victorian (City Council Chamber), and Colonial Revival (upper hall and stairs). The Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington returned to the magnificently restored Senate Chamber.