The Voting Rights Act: The Struggle Still Continues – Conversations at Connecticut’s Old State House – Tuesday, October 7 at Noon

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For Immediate Release
September 29, 2014
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov

As Connecticut prepares to vote on a Constitutional amendment that could pave the way for dramatic changes in how we vote, Connecticut’s Old State House poses a question to the public: Are voting rights truly equal in 2014?

On Tuesday, October 7 join Dr. Stacey Close, Professor of History at Eastern Connecticut State University and author of Connecticut Explored African Americans who was named one of Connecticut’s Most Influential African Americans by the Connecticut NAACP, for a discussion on the legacy of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. During this engaging event, attendees will learn more about the struggle to get this ground-breaking legislation passed and discuss its impact on American society today.

Following his lecture, Dr. Close will be joined by Valeriano Ramos, Director of Strategic Alliances and Equity Officer at Everyday Democracy, and Dr. Kevin McMahon, Professor of Political Science at Trinity College, for a lively panel discussion on voting rights in 2014. The Connecticut Network’s (CT-N) Diane Smith will moderate the discussion and take questions and comments from the audience.

Conversations at Noon, a monthly program at Connecticut’s Old State House, begins at Noon and lasts for one hour. Each program is free for the public to attend as funding is provided by Connecticut Humanities. Registration is encouraged but not required. The electronic registration form for this event can be accessed here.

Located in Hartford, a short walk from the Wadsworth, Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The Old State House Shop, located on the Main Street side of the building, provides visitors an opportunity to purchase great, quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, products and apparel. The Old State House Farmers Market, the oldest of its kind in the state, is open Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the summer. 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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The 175th Anniversary of The Amistad Hearings at Connecticut’s Old State House

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For Immediate Release

September 15 2014

Contact: Chris Zaccaro

(860) 522-6766 ext. 116

chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov

 

This Friday, September 19^th marks the 175^th Anniversary of The Amistad Hearings at Connecticut’s Old State House in downtown Hartford. To mark this significant event in our state’s history, the Old State House will begin hosting a special exhibit featuring objects relating to the Amistad trial, including the original keys to the Hartford Jail, a bust of the African prisoners’ leader, Cinque, as well as images and speeches from the famous case. The exhibit will be open for General Admission viewing through August 2015.

Another new exhibit featuring items related to the famous abolitionist John Brown will be open for General Admission viewing starting September 19^th as well. Brown, a Connecticut native, led a raid on the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry in order to start an armed insurrection to end slavery. This special exhibit will feature images of Brown and a reproduction of the fort at Harper’s Ferry.

Visitors will be able to get a special sneak peek of the new Amistad and John Brown exhibits this Thursday, September 18^th at Noon with the debut of the Old State House’s new themed-tour, A Great Storm Swept Over Us: African American History at the Old State House. Through this guided tour visitors will learn the story of the famous Amistad trials of 1839, learn about slavery in our state and discover how some citizens fought to overcome the status quo.

Future tours are scheduled to take place once a month after October 2014; however groups may schedule to take the tour at a separate time by making a special reservation through Old State House Visitor Services at (860) 522-6766. To view upcoming dates for all of the Old State House’s themed-tours and other public events, visit the online calendar on the Old State House website at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

These new exhibits are made possible through the loan of objects by The Amistad Center for Art and Culture and the Connecticut Historical Society. Connecticut’s Old State House is one of more than 130 sites on Connecticut’s Freedom Trail, which documents and designates sites that embody the struggle toward freedom and human dignity and celebrates the accomplishments of Connecticut’s African-American community.

Located in Hartford, a short walk from the Wadsworth, Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The Old State House Shop, located on the Main Street side of the building, provides visitors an opportunity to purchase great, quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, products and apparel. The Old State House Farmers Market, the oldest of its kind in the state, is open Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the summer. 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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BIKE WEEK AT THE OLD STATE HOUSE (Sept. 16-20): Antique Bike Exhibit & The American Dream Machine: Bicycles Past, Present & Future (Sept. 16 at Noon)

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For Immediate Release
September 9, 2014
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@ct.cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116

How did a Civil War veteran become the father of the American bicycle and turn Hartford into the
bicycle capital of the world? How did he predict trends in transportation and go on to build other dream machines?

 

Join Steve Goddard, author of Colonel Albert Pope and His American Dream Machines, on Tuesday, September 16 to discover how one Hartford factory became the largest employer in New England, producing everything from high wheelers to bicycles to electric cars. Following Mr. Goddard’s talk, join in a panel discussion about making Connecticut more bike-friendly and promoting bike racing among Connecticut kids with Mr. Goddard, Aidan Charles, the Founder and Executive Director of the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program, and Kelly Kennedy, Executive Director of Bike Walk Connecticut. The Connecticut Network’s (CT-N) Diane Smith will moderate the conversation.

Following the program, enjoy Wheels for All, a wonderful, temporary exhibit that showcases six bikes dating from 1869 to 1914, on loan from the Connecticut Historical Society. The antique bikes, which include Lakin’s Improved Velocipede (1869), the Pope Manufacturing Company’s Columbia Ordinary (1881) and the Woman’s Chainless Safety bicycle from the League Cycle Company (1894), will be on display at Connecticut’s Old State House from September 16-20. General admission rates apply to this exhibit.

The American Dream Machine: Bicycles Past, Present & Future begins at Noon, attendees are encouraged to enjoy their lunches during this free event inside Connecticut’s Old State House. This program is funded by Connecticut Humanities.

Located in Hartford, a short walk from the Wadsworth, Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The Old State House Shop, located on the Main Street side of the building, provides visitors an opportunity to purchase great, quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, products and apparel. The Old State House Farmers Market, the oldest of its kind in the state, is open Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the summer. 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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