Connecticut’s Old State House Awarded Grant by CT Humanities to Assess Connecticut’s Civic Health

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October 13, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116

Hartford, CT – Connecticut’s Old State House in Hartford has received a $9,458 grant from the Connecticut Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities that provides grants to historical societies for exhibitions and programs exploring Connecticut’s rich history.

This grant will enable Connecticut’s Old State House to continue the popular and free Conversations at Noon and Old State House Town Hall Meeting series, which will carry a new theme for next year: Choosing to Participate: Renewing Connecticut’s Civic Health. For the next 12 months, the Old State House will highlight indicators that are used to assess Connecticut residents’ level of civic participation – such as attending public meetings, registering to vote, talking to neighbors, eating dinner with family members and donating to charity – to name a few.

Through discussions with scholars, government officials, experts, activists and the public, journalist Diane Smith of the Connecticut Network (CT-N) will explore the history, current status and rewards of civic participation in Connecticut.

This week, on Tuesday, October 13, the Old State House explored the ins and outs of town government during its latest installment of Conversations at Noon: Not Just a Spectator Sport: Connecticut’s Local Government & You. The series continues in November with Don’t Mince Your Words: Conversations at the Thanksgiving Table, which will showcase the value of healthy dinner conversation, and in December with Taking Care of Our Own: The History of Philanthropy in Connecticut, which will focus on charitable giving – another civic health indicator.

All of these programs are free and open to the public thanks to the support of Connecticut Humanities. More information about programs hosted by Connecticut’s Old State House can be found on the Old State House’s website, www.ctoldstatehouse.org, and the Connecticut’s Old State House Facebook page.

Connecticut Humanities, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state’s stories, build community and enrich lives.

Located in historic downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of
government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The Connecticut’s Old State House Shop, located on the Main Street side of the building, provides visitors an opportunity to purchase quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, products and apparel. Visitors can also shop online at shop.ctoldstatehouse.org. The Old State House Farmers Market will remain open until the end of October. The market provides visitors the opportunity to shop for locally grown produce and Made-in-CT crafts on Tuesdays and Fridays. For more information on admission prices, upcoming events and parking discounts nearby, become a fan of Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or visit us online at http://www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

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