Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Constitution Plaza: Did it Rip the Heart out of Hartford or Save the City?

Hartford, CT –Historian Jason Scappaticci explores the creation of Constitution Plaza – and the “new” city that grew up around it – on Wednesday, August 1 in the latest installment of Conversations at Noon at Connecticut’s Old State House.   Join us for this free, hour long program!

The planning and development of Constitution Plaza took over a decade, and almost didn't happen at all. This 1960s urban renewal project forever changed the face of Hartford when it replaced a tightly knit city neighborhood, home to newly-arriving immigrants, to a landscape of modern office buildings, shops and a decorative water fountain

Following Mr. Scappaticci’s talk, the Connecticut Network’s Diane Smith will moderate a lively panel discussion including Mr. Scappaticci as well as the Deputy Director of the Connecticut Trust for the Historic Preservation Christopher Wigren and Tom Deller, the Hartford Director of Development Services. Panelists will discuss the impact of Constitution Plaza on the city, along with current urban development projects such as iQuilt. 

Parking is easy. Connecticut’s Old State House will validate parking tickets from the State Street South Parking Garage (formerly the Constitution Plaza garage). The cost, after validating, is $5.  The ticket will be stamped at the Welcome Desk.  The validation is good all day. The Old State House farmers market featuring a wide variety of fresh Connecticut-grown foods will be open before and after the lecture, from 11 am to 2 pm.

Bring your lunch and enjoy this one-hour program. Registrations are encouraged but not required. To register, call 860-522-6766 or visit http://tinyurl.com/OSH2012Lecture.
This program is supported with funding from the Connecticut Humanities Council.

Throughout 2012, the Old State House will have a variety of lunchtime lectures and other special events and programming. Visit the calendar on www.ctoldstatehouse.org for more information.

Located in Hartford just minutes from the Connecticut Science Center, Wadsworth Athenaeum and the riverfront, Connecticut’s Old State House invites visitors of all ages to discover that their voices matter, and that words, ideas, persuasion and debate really can change minds – and, quite possibly, the world.  The building served as the Constitution State’s original seat of government from 1796 to 1878. 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 at www.twitter.com/CTOldStateHouse or visit us online at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Jonathan Trumbull: Returning to a Flagpole near You at Connecticut’s Old State House


Hartford, CT – Eight flagpoles line the perimeter of  Connecticut’s Old State House.  Today, bronze statues sit atop seven of them, depicting the likenesses of George Washington, Joseph Cinque, Prudence Crandall and other key figures in our state’s history.  For two years, one flagpole has stood vacant.  On Saturday, July 14, the statue of Jonathan Trumbull – Connecticut’s Revolutionary War governor – will be returned to its proper place in a ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. on the Old State House lawn.  (Rain date to be determined; visitors should check the Official Old State House Facebook Page or call 860-522-6766 after 9 a.m. in the event of inclement weather.)

The original Jonathan Trumbull statue was damaged in 2010, and was later returned to artist Randall Nelson to be recast.  At Saturday’s ceremony Nelson and (Old State House living history character) Jonathan Trumbull himself will be on hand as the approximately 4-foot tall statue is hoisted by crane and lowered onto the crown of the flagpole that flies the building’s Connecticut Flag.  Visitors can enjoy outdoor tours focusing on all eight statues and the part each figure played in our state’s fight for democracy during America’s earliest years.  The Old State House itself will also be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for  an even deeper adventure into Connecticut’s exciting, inspirational and unusual contributions to our great democratic experiment.

Connecticut’s Old State House will validate parking tickets from the State Street South Parking Garage (formerly the Constitution Plaza garage). The cost, after validating, is $5.  The ticket will be stamped at the Welcome Desk.  The validation is good all day.

Nelson created the original eight statues in 1996, as part of the Old State House’s last major restoration; each figure from Connecticut history has a particular connection to the Old State House. He is a 2006 Graduate from Vermont College, Union Institute and University with a Masters in Visual Arts. Nelson has won multiple awards, including the Golden Hammer Award in 1997 his work on the Brownstone restoration of the historic Burnside Building in Worcester, Mass.  When Nelson is not working he teaches art at Quinebaug Vally Community College.

Throughout 2012, the Old State House will have a variety of lunchtime lectures and other special events and programming. Visit the calendar on www.ctoldstatehouse.org for more information.

Located in Hartford just minutes from the Connecticut Science Center, Wadsworth Athenaeum and the riverfront, Connecticut’s Old State House invites visitors of all ages to discover that their voices matter, and that words, ideas, persuasion and debate really can change minds – and, quite possibly, the world.  The building served as the Constitution State’s original seat of government from 1796 to 1878. 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 at www.twitter.com/CTOldStateHouse or visit us online at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.
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Monday, July 9, 2012

Old State House, HYPE, Debut New After-Hours Program "from Barstools to Ballots" July 17th, 5:30 at Connecticut’s Old State House

Hartford, CT – Connecticut’s Old State House invites Harford’s professionals – commuters and city-dwellers alike – to the debut of an exciting new program, From Barstools to Ballots on Tuesday July 17th.  Sponsored in collaboration with Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE), this informal evening program and networking opportunity encourages attendees to explore the importance of informal gathering spaces in informing public debate, both historically and in current times. 

Taverns were once hubs of connection and activity in early America: a place where locals got the latest news from travelers and out-of-town newspapers. But what is their equivalent today: Bars?  Coffee shops? Online?  Historian and author Dr. Bruce Clouette will explore the pivotal role played by colonial taverns in the debates that formed our nation, and jump-start the discussion of where citizens gather today.  Social media maven and marketing executive Suzi Craig and Connecticut State Representative Sean Williams will then join moderator Adam von Gootkin from Onyx Spirits for this lively group conversation.

The Old State House doors will open at 5:30 PM for networking and appetizers provided by Salute Restaurant.  The program starts at 6 PM.  A Cash bar will be available including beer, wine and a special “Onyx Cocktail”. 

For anyone who cannot make it to Hartford, The Old Sate House will be tweeting live from the event. To be part of the conversation, follow @CTOldStateHouse or search #CTBar2Ballot on Twitter.
Pre-registration is $8 for HYPE members and $10 for others. All walk-ins are $12 at the door. Go to www.HYPEHartford.com to register for the program. Connecticut’s Old State House will validate parking tickets from the State Street South Parking Garage (formerly the Constitution Plaza garage). The cost, after validating, is $5.  The ticket will be stamped at the Welcome Desk.  The validation is good all day.

This series is made possible with a grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council. The Greater Hartford Arts Council is a leader and catalyst for the promotion, fundraising and coordination of arts and heritage programs that help celebrate our diverse cultures, enliven the spirit, and enrich the economy of Connecticut’s Capital Region.

HYPE’s mission is to help young professionals become better engaged in community life, expand professional and social opportunities and become ambassadors for the Hartford Region. In the process, they endeavor to position the Hartford Region as an attractive area for diverse young professionals and entrepreneurs to live, work and play. HYPE caters to young professionals and entrepreneurs in their 20s and 30s from the Hartford Region, though they invite professionals of all ages to participate.
Throughout 2012, the Old State House will have a variety of lunchtime lectures and other special events and programming. Visit the calendar on www.ctoldstatehouse.org for more information.

Located in Hartford just minutes from the Connecticut Science Center, Wadsworth Athenaeum and the riverfront, Connecticut’s Old State House invites visitors of all ages to discover that their voices matter, and that words, ideas, persuasion and debate really can change minds – and, quite possibly, the world.  The building served as the Constitution State’s original seat of government from 1796 to 1878. 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 at www.twitter.com/CTOldStateHouse or visit us online at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.