Thank you for choosing Connecticut’s Old State House as your education destination. We offer a variety of engaging civics and history programs for students K-12 and beyond!
Our Doors Are Open:
Connecticut’s Old State House is committed to ensuring all visitors have access to this historic site. Our building is mobility friendly with a ramp on the West side entrance and elevator access to all floors. Our bathrooms on the ground floor are accessible.
When reserving your program, please note any accessibility concerns you’d like us to be aware of. We always grant FREE admission to paraprofessionals, school nurses, and other 1:1 staff!
Program Title: | Program Description: |
Guided Tour of Connecticut’s Old State House (Grades 4-12+) 60 minutes | Explore the Old State House as a museum educator shares the stories of the historic events that have shaped both state and national history. Students will examine the building’s use throughout its 225-year history and learn about the Amistad trials, Prudence Crandall, and other key stories from its past. |
NEW! What Does a Governor Do? (Grades 3-5) 90 Minutes | Being Connecticut’s Governor is a big job, but what exactly does that job entail? This participatory program explores some of the governor’s Constitutional duties and responsibilities- from working with the legislative and judicial branches to signing and vetoing laws, nominating officials, creating a state budget, and more. Students will visit the Kid Governor’s Office and take on roles to learn what it takes to run the State of Connecticut. Prior participation in Connecticut’s Kid Governor® is not required. |
Civics Superheroes (Grades K-3) 90 minutes | This new program is designed to introduce community and civics concepts to early elementary students. What does it mean to be a hero? Learn about real heroes throughout our state’s history as you explore CT’s Old State House and discover all the ways you can be a hero for your community! |
Connecticut’s Three Branches of Government (Grades 3-8) 90 minutes | Step inside this former Connecticut state capitol and take on the roles of Governor, Legislators, Judge and Jury in the historic Courtroom, House and Senate Chambers! This program immerses students in the functions of our state government through roleplay and hands-on activities that demonstrate how each branch works and how we can take an active part in our democracy. |
Connecticut History Day Theme Tour: Rights and Responsibilities in History (Grades 6-12) 60 minutes 45-60 minute free workshop add-on available! | Want to get your students excited about this year’s National History Day theme of Rights and Responsibilities in History? This guided exploration of Connecticut’s Old State House will illustrate some of the major rights and responsibilities in Connecticut’s history, their implementation, and impact, and give your students inspiration for their own research topics. This tour may be booked in conjunction with a free on-site CHD student workshop! Learn more about Connecticut History Day here. |
History & Future of Voting Rights (Grades 9-12) 90 minutes | Take a journey through time as you explore CT’s Old State House and learn about key points in our state’s voting history. Watch election results change as history progresses through your tour, and consider all the ways that change can be enacted. Students will then participate in a group discussion about what civic participation means to them and the ways that they can take active roles in shaping the future. |
Agency in the Amistad (Grades 9-12) 90 minutes | This program is designed to support the SERC Curriculum for the Black & Latino Studies elective! Take a closer look at the Amistad Affair from the Courtroom where the trial began: Consider the acts of agency by the Amistad Africans and CT residents that shaped this narrative into one of the most significant milestones in the abolitionist movement. |
History Is All Around Us (Grades K-12+) 30-60 minutes | This interactive, multimedia exhibit is about the greater Hartford area and the history that we see all around us. Explore history in the places we live, the everyday objects we use, the things we say, and the actions we can take! |
NEW! Connecticut’s Kid Governor® My Voice, My Cause (Grades 2-5) 30-60 minutes | Each fall, 5th graders are empowered to make a difference on a cause they care about as they vote in a real election for Connecticut’s Kid Governor. But how can students identify a cause that is meaningful to them? In this program, students will visit the Kid Governor’s Office in Connecticut’s historic Old State House and explore the community issues that current and former Kid Governors and Cabinet Members have addressed. Students will discuss ways they can make a difference on causes that matter to them and will even make a Kid Governor’s sash to take home! Prior participation in Connecticut’s Kid Governor® is not required. |
PRICING: Thanks to generous funding from the U.S. Department of Education through the Civics Education for Connecticut Students Program, we have discounts available for the 2024-2025 school year! Please reach out to us with any questions at OSHschools@cga.ct.gov or calling 860-240-5340.
• Student Admission:
• Connecticut K-5 students: $2
• FREE for Connecticut K-5 students (Title I schools and Priority Districts)
• Hartford Public Schools: FREE
• All Other Students: $4 (+$1 per additional program)
• Teacher/Chaperone Admission:
• One teacher/chaperone per 10 students: FREE
• Paras, 1:1 staff, nurses: FREE
• Additional chaperones: $5
• Lunchroom Fees:
• Indoor lunch space: $25
• Outdoor lunch on lawn: FREE
Transportation Reimbursements available for Connecticut K-5 students!
Connecticut Title I and Priority District schools receive up to $350 per bus. All other Connecticut K-5 schools receive up to $100 per bus. In order to receive a bus reimbursement, schools should send a copy of their transportation invoice to Connecticut’s Old State House after the trip.
*For Homeschool Groups: All students pay the admission prices stated above. One group leader is admitted free, with additional adults costing $3 each. Non-participating children are $1 each.
For public schools in Windham County, we are now a participating venue in the Wheels to Learning program — please see the Wheels to Learning website for details.
LUNCH AT OSH:
Got a long bus ride home? Before you go, enjoy your lunch at Connecticut’s Old State House! Indoor lunchroom space is available for just a $25 group fee. Alternatively, you can select to enjoy your lunch outside on the OSH lawn.
Connecticut’s Old State House does not sell food, but the State House Square Food Court is just across the way and serves as a convenient place for visitors to grab a bite! We are also minutes away from local restaurants and fast-food chains.
OTHER HARTFORD ATTRACTIONS: Are you also planning to visit the State Capitol Building, Museum of Connecticut History, Supreme Court, or Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art as part of your visit to Hartford? We can work closely with their staff to coordinate your visit.
If you can’t bring your students to Connecticut’s Old State House for an in-person program, please inquire about our virtual programs! We offer our Connecticut’s Three Branches of Government, History & Future of Voting Rights, and Agency in the Amistad programs virtually, led by our professional museum educators. Virtual programs are $80 per class, with a maximum of 30 students per class. For Connecticut K-5 classes, a discounted rate of $50 per class is available thanks to the support of the U.S. Department of Education. Contact us by emailing OSHschools@cga.ct.gov or calling 860-240-5340.
QUESTIONS?
If you would like to inquire or request additional information about our school programs, please call (860) 240-5340 or email OSHschools@cga.ct.gov.
CT Democracy Center Programs in Residence at Connecticut’s Old State House
CONNECTICUT’S KID GOVERNOR®
CONNECTICUT HISTORY DAY