Connecticut’s Old State House

Welcome to Connecticut’s Old State House: the place where history and civics meet!

Located in the heart of Hartford, Connecticut, this building served as a home to all three branches of Connecticut state government from 1796 to 1878. Some of our state’s most important stories of freedom, democracy, and civic action – from the Amistad and Prudence Crandall trials to the Constitutional Convention of 1818 – connect to this National Historic Landmark.

Today, Connecticut’s Old State House serves as a history museum, gathering spot and place of civic exploration for thousands of local, national and international visitors each year.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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RECENT PUBLIC PROGRAMS

For 2025's first Conversation at Noon on the CT Freedom Trail, author and educator Jana Laiz, M.Ed. will discuss the life and times of Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman and her co-authored children’s biography, “A Free Woman On God’s Earth” The True Story of Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman, acknowledged by the Trustees of Reservations as the most historically accurate telling of this story.The story of “Mumbet” lay hidden for years until its rediscovery in the late 1990s by Laiz’s co-author, Ann-Elizabeth Barnes, an historic site interpreter at the Ashley House. Jana will discuss how the discovery happened, how the two got together to write the book and the fascinating journey that would follow. Though two white women, these writers understood the importance of Black narratives, a crucial part of the American story and critically important to the true history of this nation. They told the story with all the respect, research and love they had.Jana would later come to meet historian Tammy Denease and the two would embark on a new journey, sharing the story of Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman with as many people as they could, recognizing the historical significance of this true herstory.
Book Talk on the CT Freedom Trail: A Free Woman on God's Earth
Join us for Inauguration Day 2025 and observe the transition of power between 2024 Kid Governor Cristiano Almeida and 2025 Kid Governor Keudy Martinez! You will have a front-seat view for a news conference with Kid Governor-Elect Keudy and his Cabinet (10:15am), a musical performance by State Troubadour Kala Farnham (10:30am), the swearing-in of Kid Governor-Elect Keudy and his Cabinet (10:50am), a "Meet the Three Branches" educational program with officials from the three branches of state government (12:15pm), and a "Meet the Cabinet" educational program with the 2025 Kid Governor's Cabinet (12:50pm). You don’t want to miss this Inauguration Day celebration! Visit CT.KidGovernor.org/inaugurationday2025 for details.
Inauguration Day 2025
The CT Freedom Trail is home to over 170 heritage sites that recognize people and events that made impactful strides toward equity and social justice in Connecticut. As we wrap 2024 join Outreach Director Tammy Denease as she celebrates another benchmark year, where more sites like the Colchester Cemetery and Green Monument were added, Constance Baker Motley received a forever stamp, and the Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American History Museum received significant financial backing from the State of Connecticut, and we presented at the 8th annual Slave Dwelling Conference in Philadelphia regarding slavery in New England. We declare 2024 a success here at the CT Freedom Trail and hope to see you again next year.
CT Freedom Trail: 2024 Year in Review!
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