Community Corner

Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties

The latest Hidden Gem is tucked into a nook in Hartford and is really where it all began.

Chris Dehnel's profile picture
Chris Dehnel, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Connecticut's Old State House in Hartford.
Connecticut's Old State House in Hartford. (CT General Assembly/CT.gov)

HARTFORD, CT — OK ... how can a significantly historic building, right smack in the middle of the capital city, be hidden? Now think about how many times residents went zooming past Connecticut's Old State House on their way to a hospital, a sporting event, a business meeting or the "new" center of government without even thinking about it.

Yes ... the Old State House is a Hidden Gem.

The circa 1796 building is the very spot where Connecticut's democracy was born and visitors learn about how it happened and who made it happen.

Find out what's happening in Greater Hartfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

But it's also about "360-degree democracy," which means the displays are interactive and designed to make visitors think about the history and where they fit into democracy themselves.

And, academics aside, there are light-heated displays like a two-headed calf, Mark Twain's bicycle, and dozens of other pieces of Connecticut's "amazing and eccentric history."

Find out what's happening in Greater Hartfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

And there's added incentive to visit the Old State House in 2021 because, until Sept. 6, Connecticut children 18 and younger, plus one accompanying adult, can visit participating museums free of charge through the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program.

The Old State House is run by the Connecticut General Assembly.

He's a tour for added incentive:

See more on the Old State House here.

____

The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.
Other columns in this series:

To register for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Greater Hartford