Connecticut’s Old State House Holiday Shopping Fair to Take Place December 8, 9 & 10

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For Immediate Release
November 23, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116


Hartford, CT - The annual Connecticut’s Old State House Holiday Shopping Fair will be taking place for three straight days on December 8, 9 and 10. The Fair will be open to the public, free of charge, from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. each day.

The Old State House Holiday Shopping Fair offers a great opportunity for shoppers to purchase products from local small business owners as only Connecticut-based vendors are invited to showcase and sell their products at this three day event. Products at this year’s fair will include handmade jewelry, holiday decorations, knitted clothing, pottery, soaps, candles, blankets, linens, artwork, crafts, baskets, accessories, photography and more. While attending the fair, shoppers can also visit the Connecticut’s Old State House Shop where affordable, quality-made Connecticut and Hartford themed gifts, apparel and packages can be purchased.

 

There are multiple parking options nearby for shoppers, some of which will offer parking discounts to Old State House visitors. To find directions to the Old State House, nearby parking locations and information on parking discounts, visit www.ctoldstatehouse.org/directions. Follow Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook for updates on participating vendors.

Located in Hartford, a short walk from The Wadsworth, Connecticut Science Center, Bushnell Park and the Riverfront - Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. The interactive History is All Around Us exhibition by the Connecticut Historical Society, located in the Mortensen Gallery of the lower level of the Old State House, allows visitors to explore over 300 years of Hartford and Connecticut history. For more information on admission prices, school programs, 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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East Harford Student Named Connecticut’s Kid Governor: Elena Tipton of Dr. Thomas S. O’Connell School is First Connecticut’s Kid Governor

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For Immediate Release
November 16, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(86) 246-1553 ext. 116

Hartford, CT – Elena Tipton, a fifth grader at Dr. Thomas S. O’Connell School in East Hartford, was elected as the first Connecticut Kid Governor after a statewide election in which hundreds of fifth graders from across the state participated. The announcement of Tipton’s victory took place during a school-wide assembly on Friday, November 13 with her classmates, teachers and family in attendance. Representatives from Connecticut’s Old State House, which created and ran the Connecticut’s Kid Governor pilot program for the first time this year, were also on hand to deliver the news and present Tipton with her Certificate of Recognition as Connecticut’s Kid Governor.

Students across the state were nominated by their classes to run for Connecticut’s Kid Governor. Candidates were required to submit a campaign video about a community issue important to them as well as a 3-point plan designed to help other students take action on the issue. The top 7 candidates continued on to the statewide election and their videos were posted online for Connecticut fifth grade classes to watch before casting their ballots.

Tipton’s “Campaign for Kindness” won the vote, securing her position as the first ever Connecticut’s Kid Governor. She outlined a 3-point plan of action that included making the 13^th of each month “Kindness Day”, bringing “buddy benches” to 10 schools, and listening to Connecticut students to find out great things that are happening at their schools so they can be recognized and celebrated as awesome kids. Tipton also proposed the creation of a public online blog, where students from other schools can share their acts of kindness. During her year-long term as Connecticut’s Kid Governor, she will have the opportunity to take part in programs at Connecticut’s Old State House and encourage students across the state to take action on her campaign issue. A formal inauguration will take place at Connecticut’s Old State House in downtown Hartford in January.

 To learn more about Connecticut’s Kid Governor, view the final seven candidates’ campaign videos or watch the announcement of Tipton’s victory, visit the pilot program’s website at CT.KidGovernor.org. Information about Connecticut’s Old State House and its other school programs can be found at www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

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Conducting Civil Conversation at the Thanksgiving Table: Wednesday, November 18 at Noon

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For Immediate Release
November 5, 2015
Contact: Chris Zaccaro
chris.zaccaro@cga.ct.gov
(860) 246-1553 ext. 116

Conducting Civil Conversation at the Thanksgiving Table

Conversations at the Thanksgiving Table – Wednesday, November 18 at Noon

History of Philanthropy in Connecticut – Tuesday, December 1 at Noon 

Hartford, CT – The holiday season is rapidly approaching and that means conversations around the table can quickly and easily turn uncomfortable. Connecticut’s Old State House is encouraging healthy and cordial dialogue at the Thanksgiving table this year. During its next installment of Conversations at Noon on November 18^th, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center’s Elizabeth Burgess will discuss the dinner table’s role as the center of family conversation. Following her talk, those in attendance will enjoy a fun and lively panel discussion on conducting civil conversation with family during the holidays with humorist Gina Barreca, journalist Richard Hanley and Everyday Democracy’s Val Ramos.

This program is a continuation of the Old State House’s year-long series Choosing to Participate: Renewing Connecticut’s Civil Health where civic health indicators, which are used to assess civic participation, are explored using issues and examples from the past and engaging scholars, government officials, experts, activists and the public in meaningful conversations. The civic health indicator being highlighted through this program is ‘conversing with family over dinner.’

This program is free to attend and open to the public, thanks to the support of Connecticut Humanities.

Coming up at Connecticut’s Old State House: The History of Philanthropy in Connecticut

Just two weeks later, on December 1, Conversations at Noon returns with a new installment entitled Taking Care of Our Own: The History of Philanthropy in Connecticut – where the Old State House will highlight a very appropriate civic health indicator during the holiday season: ‘charitable giving.’

Eugene Leach, Professor Emeritus at Trinity College will discuss the impact philanthropy has had on Connecticut lives. After his talk, Deborah Rothstein, Vice President of Development & Donor Engagement for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Ashley “AJ” Johnson, pastor, community educator and founder of Small Business Night Out, and Professor Leach will explore how private giving “helped civilize Hartford” and identify the changing face of philanthropy in the 21^st century.

Like the November 18 program, The History of Philanthropy in Connecticut, is free and open to the public thanks to the support of Connecticut Humanities.

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. 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.