The Message and the Media: Campaigning in the Age of Facebook

Hartford, CT – First it was music and stumping, then it was lawn signs and mailers. Now, it’s Facebook and Twitter. Campaigning for public office has changed drastically over the life of our democracy. Can a candidate win with a highly-programmed and controlled message in direct mail and on television? Is the press corps irrelevant in today’s campaigns? On December 5, join the Old State House for “The Message and the Media: Campaigning in the Age of Facebook” and take a look at campaigning, then and now.  

At 11:30 a.m. well-known historical musician Rick Spencer performs campaign songs from the virulent 1856 presidential campaign between James Buchanan, John C. Fremont, and Millard Fillmore.

At Noon, Quinnipiac University Professor of Journalism Richard Hanley explores the post-media political era and discusses the evolution of campaigning for public office. His brief presentation will be followed by a lively panel discussion moderated by the Connecticut Network’s Diane Smith. Prof. Hanley will be joined by Wayne Winsley, a recent candidate for the 3^rd Congressional District; Patrick Scully, political commentator and former Director of Communications and Media for the state Senate Democrats; and Kenny Curran, campaign manager for Chris Murphy’s victorious 2012 Senate run. The presentation and panel discussion will last one hour.

Bring your lunch and enjoy this FREE program! Register for the presentation and panel discussion here

This program is made possible through funding by Connecticut Humanities.

 

Up Next at the Old State House: January 16, 2013, Noon, Myths and Legacy of the Emancipation Proclamation Issued on January 1, 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln, what exactly did the Emancipation Proclamation do? Join Dr. Matthew Warshauer, author of Connecticut in the American Civil War, for a spirited exploration of this famous document and its impact. The Connecticut Network’s Diane Smith will moderate a panel discussion with Dr. Warshauer;  Elizabeth Rose, historian for the Promise of Freedom exhibition at  the Fairfield Museum and History Center; and Alona Wilson, curator of the upcoming exhibit Emancipation! at the Amistad Center for Art and Culture.

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 once admission is paid at the museum.  The validation is good all day.

Throughout 2013, 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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“Inspiring Change: Leadership Starts With You” Town Hall Meeting Hosted at the Old State House

Can a parent really make a difference in the community? The answer was a resounding “yes” from a crowd of 75 at a town-hall style meeting from the Old State House on Thursday, November 15.

Connecticut’s Old State House, in partnership with the Connecticut Network, Connecticut Commission on Children, Civic Health Index Advisory Board and the Parent Leadership Training Institute, hosted a live, televised town hall meeting entitled, Inspiring Change: Leadership Starts With You. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill provided opening remarks and the discussion was moderated by Diane Smith. The program focused on how parents and others can become community leaders with the help of the Parent Leadership Training Institute. A panel of state leaders and local school board and town council members, including State Representative Cathy Abercombie and Bridgeport community leader Donna Thompson-Bennett. 

View the program here - http://ct-n.com/ondemand.asp?ID=8394

Letters From the Front: A Dramatic Reading

On Wednesday, November 14, the Old State House traveled back to World War II for a dramatic reading from “Dear Eva,” a new play by Connecticut authors Paul Janensch and Catherine Ladnier based on letters written during the conflict by friends and relatives. Audience members experienced the fear and worry felt by the Greatest Generation as the letters touched on life during wartime. They explored relationships and army life with humor and an unexpected honesty.

Photo by Gary Denmark

Following the performance, the audience learned how Central Connecticut State University’s Veterans History Project preserves the stories of the men and women who have served our nation in war and peace from Director Eileen Hurst.  The project records the wartime stories of Connecticut veterans and the school is now an archive partner with the Library of Congress.

The entire program can be viewed by visiting the Connecticut Network’s On Demand section or by clicking here http://ct-n.com/ondemand.asp?ID=8391.

 A trove of letters saved by Eva Lee Brown of South Carolina, were discovered after her death by her daughter, Catherine Ladnier of Greenwich. Ladnier invited Janensch, a former newspaper editor and professor emeritus of journalism at Quinnipiac University to join her as a collaborator in bringing Eva’s story to the stage.  The letters featured references to the 853^rd Engineers Aviation Battalion, which included many Connecticut men.

Be A Part of EnvisionFest Hartford at Connecticut’s Old State House

Think that there is nothing to do in Hartford? Join Connecticut’s Old State House on Saturday, September 29 for EnvisionFest Harford and spend the day exploring the city’s rich history of innovation and its exciting future! The Old State House will be open for free from 10 AM to 4 PM and will offer special tours and activities featuring some of Connecticut’s most important innovators.

Visitors will be able to choose from an array of activities showcasing Connecticut innovators and Old State House treasures like

• Meet historic innovators such as Prudence Crandall and Frances Ellen Burr as you stroll through the building’s restored rooms.
• Use family-friendly hands-on activities, including a fun scavenger hunt to  explore the building, its stories and unusual objects—like a 2-headed calf and Mark Twain’s bicycle.
• Pick up some  healthy local fruits and veggies at a special Saturday OSH Farmers Market, a tradition started by the General Assembly in 1643.
• See old Hartford through new eyes in three exhibitions:

Ø  There’s a Map for That: excerpted from a recent exhibit sponsored by the Hartford Public Library’s Hartford History Center at and Connecticut Explored. The exhibit showcases Hartford’s evolution through maps and birds-eye views

Ø  A new temporary display of images located in the Treasurer’s Office area that shows the Old State House and its neighborhood over time.

Ø  History Is All Around Us: an interactive exhibition developed by the Connecticut Historical Society that explores Hartford’s rich and innovative past with lots of historical artifacts and hands on activities.

The Old State House is going to pulse with music throughout the day:

·         10:30 am: The Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps in the Main Street Court yard   

·         11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm: Drummer Bob Bloom brings in his colorful cargo of drums and percussion trinkets that will take everyone on drum ride with the highest octane songs that Hartford has ever heard. Each show lasts a half hour.

·         2 pm: St. Peter Drum Corp

·         3 pm: The Sweetest Key—an amazing all-female, Hartford area a cappella group, that brings its love of music, passion for singing, and unique and powerful harmonies to the OSH courtyard and the streets of Hartford

Parking is easy and convenient! Connecticut’s Old State House will validate parking tickets from the State Street South Parking Garage (formerly the Constitution Plaza garage) for $5 and is good for the entire day. For more information on this program and other activities go to www.envisionfesthartford.com



Barstools to Ballots presents Back to the Future of Transportation: How will we get around Hartford?

Hartford, CT –Hartford, CT: How does transportation shape our lives and environment?  How has it impacted Hartford’s development?  How will you navigate the city in the future?  Join in the conversation about these important questions on Monday, September 10 when Connecticut’s Old State House hosts the second program in its popular Barstools to Ballots series.  Co-sponsored with Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE), this informal evening program and networking opportunity encourages attendees to join in the discussion about the past, present and future of transportation in Hartford.

Christine Stuart editor of CT News Junkie will moderate the evening’s discussion. Thomas Maziarz, Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau Chief of Policy and Planning will discuss the agency’s priorities and projects, including the CTFastrak Project.   Other panelists are: Richard Deluca, author of Post Roads and Iron Horses, and BikeWalkCT board member, Christopher Brown. 

The Old State House doors will open at 5:30 PM for networking and refreshments.  The program will start at 6 PM. Salute Restaurant will provide appetizers and a cash bar. 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 Old State House will tweet live from the event.  To be part of the conversation, follow @CTOldStateHouse and use #CTBar2Ballot. Funding for Barstools to Ballots is provided by the Greater Hartford Arts Council.

The Old State House offers a variety of year round 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.

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.  

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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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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