Hartford Things to Do

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Adjacent to the Capitol grounds on Lafeyette Circle is an impressive bronze equestrian statue on a granite base dedicated to The Marquis de LaFayette, and important French ally during the American Revolutionary war. Originally dedicated in 1932, the bronze is from the work of Paul Wayland Bartlett, a sculpture born in New Haven, CT, but who lived most of his life in France. His 1907 work was created for the grounds of the Louvre in Paris. Later, bronze fabricator, Albert Entress, created a copy for Hartford. When you visit this, note the small turtle near the horse's left rear hoof, a very unusual feature symbolizing the fabricator's lateness in creating this cast copy.

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There are numerous memorials to veterans of wars as well as a tribute to a revolutionary figure, Thomas Knowlton, who at age 36 died in the midst of the war. Mortars from the Civil War battle of St. Petersburg grace one driveway entrance.

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Look closely at the building and you will find symbolic figures of various chapters in Connecticut history, as well as the many famous Connecticut founding fathers and revolutionary war figures. New figures are still being added on the south and west sides, including a dedication to a Connecticut woman. Seven of these figures high in their niches on the west side are by H. A. MacNeil (1866-1947). (See link below for more about this sculpture) The east side, which was completed first, has some outstanding lintels, or tympanum over the arching entrances. The central tympanum, "The Charter Oak" by Charles Salewski, was the first piece of sculpture created for the Capitol.

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High on a knoll above Bushnell Park is the very impressive gold domed Connecticut State Capitol. The building houses the legislative and executive branches of the state government. The architecture of the domed building is from the combined efforts of James G. Batterson and Richard M. Upjohn. The original architectural design by Richard M. Upjohn is in the Eastlake Style, with French and Gothic revival elements, but stone merchant and contractor Batterson modified the plans considerably, particularly around the dome itself. The exterior is made from East Canaan, Connecticut marble, and granite from Westerly, Rhode Island. There are many fine details in the exterior masonry of this building, and when combined with its stunning location on the hill, this one of the most impressive state capitol buildings I've visited in the USA. Construction began in 1871 and was completed by 1878.

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The tall buildings downtown are hemmed in on the south and west by Bushnell Park, an extensive inner city park of lawn, trees, fountains, and statues. In winter, much of the lawn areas are covered by snow, and an ice rink is created near the indoor carousel.

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The original state house has been converted into a museum of oddities (see link), but the location downtown and the grounds that surround it are very impressive. The Old State House was built in 1972 and designed by Charles Bulfinch, so it is a post-American Revolution building. The streets are brick but many of the surrounding buildings are modern glass and steel.

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I didn't have time to visit, but I was favorably impressed with the architecture of the new Science Center on the Waterfront in Hartford. Check out the link for more information. This is a great place to take the kids. There's a glass elevator and rooftop view.

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Right on the riverfront there is a very nice statue commemorating a wartime visit by Abraham Lincoln to Hartford, where Harriet Beecher Stowe, famous author of Uncle Tom's Cabin came to greet him.