Be A Part of EnvisionFest Hartford at Connecticut’s Old State House

Think that there is nothing to do in Hartford? Join Connecticut’s Old State House on Saturday, September 29 for EnvisionFest Harford and spend the day exploring the city’s rich history of innovation and its exciting future! The Old State House will be open for free from 10 AM to 4 PM and will offer special tours and activities featuring some of Connecticut’s most important innovators.

Visitors will be able to choose from an array of activities showcasing Connecticut innovators and Old State House treasures like

• Meet historic innovators such as Prudence Crandall and Frances Ellen Burr as you stroll through the building’s restored rooms.
• Use family-friendly hands-on activities, including a fun scavenger hunt to  explore the building, its stories and unusual objects—like a 2-headed calf and Mark Twain’s bicycle.
• Pick up some  healthy local fruits and veggies at a special Saturday OSH Farmers Market, a tradition started by the General Assembly in 1643.
• See old Hartford through new eyes in three exhibitions:

Ø  There’s a Map for That: excerpted from a recent exhibit sponsored by the Hartford Public Library’s Hartford History Center at and Connecticut Explored. The exhibit showcases Hartford’s evolution through maps and birds-eye views

Ø  A new temporary display of images located in the Treasurer’s Office area that shows the Old State House and its neighborhood over time.

Ø  History Is All Around Us: an interactive exhibition developed by the Connecticut Historical Society that explores Hartford’s rich and innovative past with lots of historical artifacts and hands on activities.

The Old State House is going to pulse with music throughout the day:

·         10:30 am: The Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps in the Main Street Court yard   

·         11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm: Drummer Bob Bloom brings in his colorful cargo of drums and percussion trinkets that will take everyone on drum ride with the highest octane songs that Hartford has ever heard. Each show lasts a half hour.

·         2 pm: St. Peter Drum Corp

·         3 pm: The Sweetest Key—an amazing all-female, Hartford area a cappella group, that brings its love of music, passion for singing, and unique and powerful harmonies to the OSH courtyard and the streets of Hartford

Parking is easy and convenient! Connecticut’s Old State House will validate parking tickets from the State Street South Parking Garage (formerly the Constitution Plaza garage) for $5 and is good for the entire day. For more information on this program and other activities go to www.envisionfesthartford.com