Election Cake Bake Off
2025-11-01 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Connecticut’s Old State House, 800 Main St, Hartford, CT, United States
It’s time for some sweet competition! Connecticut’s Old State House is pleased to host its 4th Annual Election Cake Bake Off. Connecticut pastry chefs and bakers will go whisk to whisk to have their confection crowned the official Connecticut Election Cake of 2025. The public is invited to join Connecticut’s Kid Governor Keudy Martinez, members of his cabinet, and a panel of celebrity judges for cake tasting. This free event will also celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Connecticut’s Kid Governor program.
An RSVP is not required but appreciated. Click here to RSVP.
Election Day in Connecticut once combined voting with parties, libations, parades, and cake! Stores sold special Election Cake ingredients to women who transformed them into spice cakes to serve to the crowds gathered to celebrate voting at the State House and other sites. Help us revive this long-lost Connecticut tradition! “Election Day Cakes are a great Connecticut tradition—and a sweet reminder that voting is something to celebrate with both pride and community spirit,” says Stephanie Thomas, Secretary of the State. “I’m especially excited to join our Kid Governor and Cabinet. Their passion for civic engagement and cake judging skills make them the perfect partners for this delicious celebration.”
Connecticut’s Old State House has invited professional pastry chefs and bakers to create the official Connecticut Election Cake for 2025. Each competitor is challenged to create a delectable, non-partisan, election-themed cake that inspires voters and celebrates American democracy. Cakes will be judged based on presentation, creativity, and taste by a panel of judges. The winner of the bake off will be bestowed the honor of baking the cake for the annual birthday celebration of Connecticut’s Old State House in 2025.
In addition to Secretary Thomas, the panel of celebrity judges includes Keith Stavely and Kathleen Fitzgerald, authors of United Tastes: The Making of the First American Cookbook. Their book about Amelia Simmons’ historic American cookbook includes the first published recipe for Election Cake. Guests attending this family friendly event can participate in cake tasting and submit their vote while enjoying live music, games and other fun activities in preparation for election day on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

First Night Hartford at CT's Old State House
2025-12-31 14:00 - 17:45 | Connecticut’s Old State House, 800 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
Connecticut’s Old State House will kick off America’s 250th birthday as part of First Night Hartford festivities on Wednesday, December 31. Those with a First Night pin are invited to stop by the museum between 2:00 pm and5:45 pm for family-friendly activities related to the Revolutionary War. A national historic landmark, Connecticut’s Old State House is located at 800Main Street, a short walk to Bushnell Park for those who want to observe the first fireworks show at 6:00 p.m.
Those planning to participate in First Night can get their pins online at https://firstnighthartford.org.
The celebration will pay tribute to Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, General Rochambeau, and the Marquis de Lafayette, who met on the site of Connecticut’s Old State House in September 1780 during a pivotal moment in the war against Britain.
As one of the original thirteen colonies, Connecticut played an instrumental role in providing the Continental Army with vital supplies, including munitions, food, clothing, and soldiers. This is how Connecticut became known as the “Provision State.”
Museum educators at Connecticut’s Old State House will be dressed in period attire throughout the museum to share storied events and facts about the historic halls.
Activities for adults and children include:

Self-guided tours
A “Provisions” Scavenger Hunt throughout the museum
Make-your-own tricorn hats
Hamilton (the Musical) Karaoke in the infamous Courtroom
Revolutionary War Dress-Up for kids in the Senate Chamber
Crafting with the creative team from Night Fall.

OUR DOORS ARE OPEN
Our building is mobility friendly with a ramp on the West side entrance and elevator access to all floors. Our bathrooms are on the ground floor and have changing tables. If you wish to inquire about special accommodations for a tour or special event, please call (860) 522-6766.

Connecticut History Day Regional Competition - Fairfield
2026-02-28 08:00 - 16:00 | Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts at Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Ave, Bridgeport, CT, United States
Students from Fairfield County will come together to compete in the 2026 Connecticut History Day Fairfield Regional Contest. The Fairfield event is one of five Regional Contests hosted by The Connecticut Democracy Center this spring. Participating students have chosen a topic related to the 2026 theme of Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History and have since conducted research and interviewed experts in order to shape their findings into sound historical arguments. Working alone or in groups, students will present their projects in one of five categories – exhibits, documentaries, websites, papers, or performances – in hopes of advancing to the State Contest on May 2 at Central Connecticut State University. Students who finish in first or second place at the State Contest will be invited to the 2026 National History Day® Competition.
8:00 am – Students Arrive, Exhibit students set up
9:00 am – Welcome Ceremony
9:30 am – Judging begins
3:00 pm – Awards Ceremony
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
The Academy of Information Technology (Stamford)Bedford Middle School (Westport)[Brunswick School (Greenwich)The Catholic Academy of StamfordColeytown MIddle School (Greenwich)Concord Magnet School (Norwalk)Darien High SchoolFairfield Warde High School (Fairfield)Greenwich Day SchoolGreenwich Academy (Greenwich)Middlebrook School (Wilton)Nathan Hale MIddle SchoolPark HomeschoolPonus Ridge MIddle School (Norwalk)Roton Middle School (Norwalk)Sacred Heart GreenwichScotts RIdge Middle School (Ridgefield)Staples High School (Westport)Tomlinson Middle School (Fairfield)West Rocks MIddle School (Norwalk)
Regional Coordinator: Tony Andrade tony48nhd@gmail.com
This event is made possible with support from the Sacred Heart University History Department

Connecticut History Day Regional Competition - Norwich
2026-03-07 08:00 - 14:30 | Norwich Free Academy, 305 Broadway, Norwich, CT, United States
High School Students Ready to Make History at Connecticut History Day Norwich Regional Competition
Students from Norwich area schools will come together to compete in the 2026 Connecticut History Day Norwich Regional Contest. The Norwich event is one of five Regional Contests hosted by The Connecticut Democracy Center this spring. Participating students have chosen a topic related to the 2026 theme of Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History and have since conducted research and interviewed experts in order to shape their findings into sound historical arguments. Working alone or in groups, students will present their projects in one of five categories – exhibits, documentaries, websites, papers, or performances – in hopes of advancing to the State Contest on May 2 at Central Connecticut State University. Students who finish in first or second place at the State Contest will be invited to the 2026 National History Day® Competition.
8:00 am – Students Arrive, Exhibit students set up
9:00 am – Welcome Ceremony
9:30 am – Judging begins
2:00 pm – Awards Ceremony
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:
Essex Elementary SchoolFields Memorial School (Bozrah)Greenwich High SchoolHebron Elementary SchoolInterdistrict School For Arts And Communication (New London) Lyme-Old Lyme Middle SchoolNathan Hale-Ray Middle School (East Haddam)Norwich Free AcademyPine Point School (Stonington)Westminster School (Simsbury)
Regional Coordinator: Dr. Lisa Marcinkowski June lisa.marcinjune@gmail.com
This event is made possible with support from Norwich Free Academy and the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

Connecticut History Day Regional Competition – Mansfield
2026-03-07 08:00 - 16:00 | University of Connecticut – McHugh Hall, Hillside Rd, Storrs, CT 06269 (Parking available in parking areas Y and Z)
Students from Mansfield area schools will come together to compete in the 2026 Connecticut History Day Mansfield Regional Contest. The Mansfield event is one of five Regional Contests hosted by The Connecticut Democracy Center this spring. Participating students have chosen a topic related to the 2026 theme of Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History and have since conducted research and interviewed experts to shape their findings into sound historical arguments. Working alone or in groups, students will present their projects in one of five categories – exhibits, documentaries, websites, papers, or performances – in hopes of advancing to the State Contest on May 2 at Central Connecticut State University. Students who finish in first or second place at the State Contest will be invited to the 2026 National History Day® Competition.
8:00 am – Students Arrive, Exhibit students set up
9:00 am – Welcome Ceremony
9:30 am – Judging begins
3:30 pm – Awards Ceremony
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS:

Capitol Preparatory Magnet School (Hartford) Carmen Arace Intermediate School (Bloomfield)Carmen Arace Middle School (Bloomfield) Center School (Ellington)E.O. Smith High School (Storrs)Ellington High SchoolEllington Middle SchoolEnfield High SchoolHartford Magnet Trinity College AcademyJohn F. Kennedy Middle School (Enfield)Lewis HomeschoolLoomis Chaffee School (Windsor)Madina Academy (Windsor) Manchester High SchoolMansfield Middle SchoolMophaptra HomeschoolPomfret SchoolRockville HIgh School (Vernon) Sage Park Middle School (Windsor)South Windsor High SchoolSuffield Academy Timothy Edwards School (South Windsor)Vernon Center Middle SchoolWindham Technical High SchoolWoodstock AcademyYang Homeschool
This event is made possible with support from the Department of Early College Experience and the Department of History at University of Connecticut

2026 Connecticut Democracy Center Awards
2026-03-12 17:30 - 20:30 | Connecticut’s Old State House, 800 Main St, Hartford, CT 06103, USA
The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) is pleased to announce the recipients of their third annual Connecticut Democracy Center Awards. This year the 2026 CTDC Community Leader Award will be presented to Patricia Russo, Executive Director, The Campaign School at Yale University. Eversource Energy has been selected to receive the CTDC Business Leader Award in recognition of the work of their Pro-Equity Advisory Team. JoAnn H. Price, Co-Founder of Fairview Capital Partners, Inc. will be honored with the Mary C. Gawlicki Philanthropic Leader Award.
The awards program was established to recognize those committed to strengthening democracy through acts of citizenship, service, and community engagement. The 2026 Connecticut Democracy Center Awards will pay tribute to these leaders at Connecticut’s Old State House on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Guests will enjoy a “Travel Across America” themed networking reception featuring delectable dishes and signature drinks while connecting with business professionals, community leaders, sponsors and award recipients interested in improving the quality of life for all in Connecticut. Tickets to the ceremony are $100 and are available HERE.
As a leader in civics education, The Connecticut Democracy Center brings people of all ages together through its programming, inspiring them to strengthen our democracy and community
through productive civic engagement. The Connecticut Democracy Center Awards recognize Connecticut community, business, and philanthropic leaders who represent the best of that engagement and whose stories encourage others to do the same.
CTDC COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD:
Patricia Russo, Executive Director, The Campaign School at Yale University
For over thirty-five years, Patricia has held leadership positions centered on women’s equity. As Executive Director of The Campaign School at Yale University, Patricia oversees the nonpartisan, issue-neutral leadership program whose mission is to increase the number and influence of women in elected and appointed office in the United States and around the globe. She has worked on federal, state, and local political campaigns for both Democratic and Republican candidates and served more than two decades on Connecticut’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, eight of them as Chair. Patricia is part of the national leadership team of Political Parity, a bipartisan initiative dedicated to increasing the number of women in elected office and is a member of the Advisory Board for Republican Women for Progress.
CTDC BUSINESS LEADER AWARD:
Eversource Energy, in recognition of the work of their Pro-Equity Advisory Team
The Eversource Energy Pro-Equity Advisory Team (PEAT) was established in 2021 under the leadership of Theresa Hopkins-Staten, President of Eversource Energy Foundation and Vice President, Community Partnership and Engagement. PEAT’s mission is to incorporate equity into all company decision-making policies and practices, and to drive fair and equitable outcomes for their communities and customers, particularly those that have been historically underserved, under-resourced, and environmentally overburdened. Under the guidance of the PEAT, Eversource now offers Equity Fundamentals Training to educate and provide employees the tools and resources they need to improve communication between customers, community partners, and in designing accessible programs to better meet the needs of the communities in which they serve.
MARY C. GAWLICKI PHILANTHROPIC LEADER AWARD:
JoAnn H. Price, Co-Founder of Fairview Capital Partners, Inc.
JoAnn H. Price is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Fairview Capital Partners, Inc., which curates dynamic relationships for institutional investors, providing unparalleled access across the most compelling segments of the private markets. She is a member of Fairview’s investment committee and manager of all Fairview-sponsored funds. She currently serves on the Howard University School of Business Board of Visitors, the YMCA of Greater Hartford Board of Trustees, the Wilson-Gray YMCA Board of Advisors, and on the Amistad Center for Art & Culture Board of Trustees. She also serves on the boards of the Apollo Theater Foundation in New York City, Trinity Health of New England, and 4-CT. JoAnn also recently completed her term as Chairperson of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving recently renamed the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation.
The Mary C. Gawlicki Philanthropic Leader Award was established in 2023 to celebrate the service of Mary Gawlicki, who served on the Connecticut Democracy Center Board of Directors from 2018 to 2023. As co-founders of Corporate Translations Inc. (CTi), Mary and her husband Ted Gawlicki launched the Gawlicki Family Foundation in 2012 to offer grants to Connecticut and Northeast U.S.-based non-profits committed to transformative change in education, pulmonary health, and municipal and economic development.
