Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Connecticut's Old State House Announces "Conversations at Noon" Fall 2015 Series - Series Begins October 13 with "Connecticut's Local Government & You"

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For Immediate Release
September 30, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116


Hartford, CT – Connecticut’s Old State House in downtown Hartford has announced the dates for next three installments of its free lunchtime lecture series, Conversations at Noon. For the next year, thanks to a grant recently awarded to Connecticut’s Old State House by Connecticut Humanities, the series will continue with a new theme – Choosing to Participate: Renewing Connecticut’s Civic Health. Through this new theme, the Old State House will highlight a civic indicator used to assess civic participation during each of its monthly programs. These indicators will be explored using issues and examples from the past and engaging scholars, government officials, experts, activists and the public in meaningful conversations that will bring these issues into the present and demonstrate how easily people can help improve Connecticut’s civic health. 

The first of the next three installments of the series, Not Just a Spectator Sport: Connecticut’s Local Government & You, will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at Noon. Conversations at Noon is moderated by the Connecticut Network’s (CT-N) Diane Smith and the events are free and open to the public. The series is sponsored by Connecticut Humanities.

Not Just a Spectator Sport: Connecticut’s Local Government & You
Tuesday, October 13 at Noon
With Election Day 2015 just around the corner, historian Bruce Clouette will share the history of Connecticut’s local government from the colonial era to the 21st century. Scott Jackson, the former mayor of Hamden and current undersecretary of OPM’s Intergovernmental Policy Division, and Frank Connolly, author of Local Government in Connecticut, will join Clouette in a panel discussion following his talk.  

Don’t Mince Your Words: Conversations at the Thanksgiving Table
Wednesday, November 18 at Noon

As the holidays approach, thoughts of gathering with family at the dinner table inspire warm feelings for some and feelings of dread for others. The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center’s Elizabeth Burgess will discuss the dinner table’s role as the center of family conversation. Before Old State House visitors take their seat at the Thanksgiving table, they will enjoy a lively panel discussion on conducting civil conversation with Everyday Democracy’s Val Ramos, humorist Regina Barreca and journalist Richard Hanley.

Taking Care of Our Own: The History of Philanthropy in Connecticut
Tuesday, December 1 at Noon

During the season of giving, Old State House visitors will learn about the major impact philanthropy has had on Connecticut lives. Eugene Leach, Professor Emeritus at Trinity College, will explore how private giving “helped civilize Hartford.” After his talk, attendees can participate in a conversation about the changing face of philanthropy in the 21st century.

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 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. The Old State House Farmers Market is currently open for the season and 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.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Connecticut's Rural Spaces in Urban Places - Connecticut's Old State House's Conversations at Noon - Tuesday, Sept. 22

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For Immediate Release
September 9, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116
 
 
Hartford, CT - As the city of Hartford winds down from its annual cultural festival in EnvisionFest 2015, Connecticut’s Old State House will highlight the city’s oasis - where people from all backgrounds and cultures flock to experience nature in the heart of a bustling metropolis.

On Tuesday, September 22 John Alexopoulos, an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at UCONN, will begin a conversation on the development of rural spaces in urban places. During his talk, he will discuss the history America’s first publically financed park – Bushnell Park in downtown Hartford. Consisting of fundamental rural elements such as sweeping meadows, groves of trees, a pond and restored river, the park began serving as a parlor for the growing industrial city of Hartford in the 1850s and its open space system made nature accessible to every citizen.

Following his talk, Alexopoulos will join a panel discussion led by the Connecticut Network’s Diane Smith. Along with Amanda Roy, Coordinator of PARKing Day for the Greater Hartford Arts Council, and Joanne Gangi-Wellman, Chief of Interpretation at the Springfield Armory, they will discuss current efforts to bring more green spaces into Hartford, as well as the incoming Coltsville National Historical Park. This installment of Conversations at Noon is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch and join the conversation.


The first 30 people to arrive for this program will receive a free copy of Jacob Weidenmann: Pioneer Landscape Architect by Rudy J. Favretti, courtesy of The Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation.

EnvisionFest 2015, Hartford’s annual city-wide cultural festival, will take place on Saturday,
September 19. Connecticut’s Old State House will be open during the celebrations from
10 a.m. – 5 p.m., with the last tour departing at 4 p.m.

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 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. The Old State House Farmers Market is currently open for the season and 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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