The History of Hartford Radio

On Tuesday February 21st, 2012 the Old State House hosted a lively lunchtime program on Hartford's rich radio broadcasting heritage. Author and WWUH GeneralManager, John Ramsey discussed his newly-released book, Hartford Radio, and shared glimpses into many of the area's stations and the legendary personalities who spoke to their faithful listeners every day. After his brief presentation, Scott Gray, from WTIC NewsTalk 1080 moderated a panel discussion on radio's impact on the lives of Connecticut residents and its role in the debate over contemporary issues, both today and in the past. Ramsey was joined on the panel by award-winning WTIC newscaster and reporter, Angela Dias, and Chris Watts, Assistant Director of the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum.

In addition to attending the lecture, visitors were invited to view Bob Steele's Century Exhibition, a traveling exhibit on loan from the Hartford Public Library and the Hartford History Center. The exhibit contains some of Bob Steele's photographs, cartoons, letters and personal belongings and will offer visitors a different look at the radio icon whose voice was so familiar to them for all those years.

Those who were unable to attend can watch the entire lecture and panel discussion here...

American to the Backbone: The Life of James W.C. Pennington

On Tuesday January 24th, 2012 Dr. Christopher Webber brought to light a civil rights leader long forgotten by most. Absent from our U.S. History books, Dr. James W.C. Pennington was a force for abolition and the human rights of African-Americans prior to the start of the Civil War.

Webber discussed his writing and research for his book American to the Backbone: The Life of W.C. Pennington, the Fugitive Slave who Became One of the First Black Abolitionists to the lunchtime crowd. He shared the challenges and successes faced by Pennington, who escaped slavery in Maryland and went on to become one of the leading abolitionists of his time. Pennington served as pastor of the Talcott Street Church in Hartford from 1840-1848, which eventually became Faith Congregational Church. Lecture-goers also had the opportunity to explore an exhibit about Pennington which included a 1840s Talcott Street Church pulpit bible and photographs.

Following the lecture, Diane Smith moderated a lively panel discussion on continuing to preserve historic sites and continuing to tell the stories of our past. Webber sat on the panel with Yvonne McGregor of the Connecticut Freedom Trail and Olivia White of the Amistad Center at the Wadsworth Atheneum.

Watch the lecture here...

Citizens in Search of a Voice
CT-N, Old State House Hosted Town Hall Meeting on Renewing Civic Health

On Monday, November 14, 2011, the Connecticut Network and Connecticut's Old State House hosted a live, televised town hall meeting. The meeting entitled, Renewing our Democracy: What Connecticut Can Be, was moderated by CT-N's Diane Smith and focused on how citizens and communities can work across differences to find solutions to problems. Thirty-five people joined the panel for an exciting and promising discussion. The meeting was aired live on the Connecticut Network.

A panel of state leaders and activists were there to join in on the conversation includingSecretary of the State Denise Merrill, Everyday Democracy Executive Director Martha McCoy, Permanent Commission on the Status of Women Executive Director Teresa Younger, Southside Institution Neighborhood Alliance Executive Director Luis Caban, Cassis and many more.

The town hall meeting followed last month's release of a report by the Civic Health Project Advisory Group, which offered strategies and project ideas aimed at strengthening Connecticut's civic infrastructure. Everyday Democracy and Secretary of the State Merrill partnered with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) to create this working group, whose members include both Diane Smith and Old State House Director Sally Whipple.

Watch the town hall meeting here...

The Impact of War Across History- A Closer Look at Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

On Tuesday November 8, 2011, people gathered for a special taping of a Connecticut Network program in the Old State House courtroom. The program, which focused on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder through the years, will be part of special Veterans Day programming on CT-N. Dr. Matthew Warshauer, Professor of History at Central Connecticut State University, started the program by discussing research that had discovered Civil War soldiers suffered from PTSD, known then as Soldier's Heart.

After his 30-minute historical presentation, Dr. Warshauer was joined by Dr. Sarah Bullard, clinical neuropsychologist at Hartford Hospital's Institute for Living and Dr. Linda S. Schwartz, war veteran and Connecticut's Commissioner of the Department of Veterans' Affairs for a panel discussion. The panel discussion, moderated by Diane Smith, explored the cultural, medical and historical aspects of PTSD.

Commissioner Schwartz shared her own experiences of being in a war zone as a nurse during Vietnam.

View the CT-N video here...

Third Annual Historic Halloween at the Old State House

On Friday, October 28, 2011, over 100 people experienced a historic and hair-raising time at the third annual "Old State House Haunted History Tour."

The evening began with In a Preternatural Way: The Witchcraft Trial of Mary Barnes, the story of a young Farmington woman found guilty of witchcraft and executed here in Hartford. The play, based in 17th-century Puritan Connecticut, told her story through the people who knew her and assembles a web of relationships which explained why she met her tragic fate. Performed by the Stanley-Whitman House Roundabout Players, this was the second year in a row that Connecticut's Old State House and Stanley-Whitman House have collaborated for this special Halloween event.

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., guests were able to choose between four different but equally eerie activities including: Spooky Storytelling, Ghost Hunters Tour of Old State House, Haunted Stories of Meeting House Square, and Old State House Haunted Treasure Hunt.

To conclude the night, visitors were able to take a short walk to the Ancient Burying Ground where they were able to explore gravesites dating back to 1648 and walk among some of Hartford's founders.

The Lost Arts of Dialogue, Debate and Civil Discourse over Lunch
"Dissent or Treason: Political Discourse from the Civil War to Today"

On Tuesday October 18, 2011, Connecticut Network's Diane Smith hosted a lively lunchtime discussion on civil discourse. The panel, which included radio personality Brad Davis, Everyday-Democracy Executive Director Martha McCoy and Museum of Connecticut History's David Corrigan, explored the American history of oratory and persuasion, the current state of public conversation and what we can do today to encourage positive debate and dialogue.

The program began with a 30-minute presentation by David Corrigan, which explored a famous case of discourse and consequence. In October 1861, six months into the Civil War, two former Connecticut Democratic governors were virtually accused of treason due to their alleged Southern sympathies. One Connecticut State Senator introduced a bill that asked for their portraits, which then hung in the Senate Chamber in the Old State House, to be removed until their loyalty could be determined by the State Comptroller.

Watch the CT-N video of the Lost Arts of Dialogue lecture here...

A Union Army Encampment and a Tribute to Connecticut's First Civil War Hero
The Old State House honors the 125th Anniversary of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch

As the city celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch on Saturday, September 17, 2011 – the Old State House took visitors back in time for a unique experience by re-creating the scenes that the Memorial Arch now stands to honor.

Civil War re-enactors from a number of Connecticut Regiments were stationed on the lawn for much of the afternoon. Visitors were able to watch and participate in Civil War recruitment and mustering.

The activities didn't stop when guests entered the building either as there was even more to explore. The Old State House had a remembrance of General Nathaniel Lyon, the first Union general killed in the Civil War. The Senate Chamber featured a re-creation of Lyon lying in state, with costumed interpreters read poems and songs in Lyon's honor. Some of General Lyon's personal belongings, on loan from the Connecticut Historical Society, were also available for visitors to see.

Guests were also available to take Civil War themed tours of the building and participate in Civil War take home crafts.

The New Leader of UConn - A Special Lunchtime Conversation with Susan Herbst at Connecticut's Old State House

On September 13th, 2011 the Old State House welcomed University of Connecticut President Susan Herbst for a one-on-one interview with the Connecticut Network's Diane Smith. The pair discussed President Herbst's plans to guide the school in a new direction which included: making the school "an engine for economic development," retaining top students in the state after graduation, placing more attention on academics for school athletes and continuing to enhance UConn's national reputation. When the interview was over, members of the audience were able to ask President Herbst their own questions. Watch the interview here...

This exclusive interview was the latest installment in the Connecticut Network and Connecticut's Old State House's "Conversations" series.

Remembering Soldiers' Sacrifices through Monuments, Modern Technology and Letters Home - July 13th, Noon at Connecticut's Old State House

On July 13th, 2011, over 70 people gathered to hear the words of Connecticut Civil War soldiers and experience video histories of veterans from World War II up to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The actual memories included different places, different enemies and different weapons but the experiences, physical pain and emotional toll were hauntingly the same.

As an introduction, Central Connecticut State University's Dr. Matthew Warshauer presented "Service through the Centuries: Memorializing War from the Civil War to the 21st Century." His presentation underscored the importance of telling the stories of America's fighting men and women, including documenting the experiences of more recent veterans and creating new monuments that honor military service. He talked about how the public can utilize the history of the American Civil War as a foundation for understandinghow we as a society remember and memorialize war in a very public way.

After Dr. Warshauer's presentation, Owen Rogers and Briana McGuckin, students from CCSU's Veteran's History Project, performed dramatic readings from actual Civil War letters and used video clips from veterans' oral histories to draw modern-day parallels. The videos were captured as part of the Veteran's History Project. The Civil War letters touched on everything from the lack of faith on the home front, the realities of life as a soldier, and sadly, the horrors one becomes accustomed to while fighting a war.

Service through the Centuries was sponsored by Connecticut Explored, a quarterly magazine exploring history, one good story after another.

Six Connecticut Heroes honored as part of the 150th Flag Day Celebration with National 9-11 Flag

On June 14th, 2011, Hartford marked the 150th anniversary of Flag Day by welcoming the National 9-11 Flag to Connecticut's Old State House. Destroyed by the collapse of the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the National 9-11 Flag is touring the country as part of a very special, very public restoration. In each state, patches made from retired American flags are attached to the 20' x 30' flag in community "stitching ceremonies." At the Old State House, the public was invited to join local heroes in stitching Connecticut's patch to the flag from 9 a.m. to Noon.

To kick off the day, Governor Dannel P. Malloy spoke briefly of the importance of Flag Day and the 9-11 Flag's legacy of inspiration and hope during the opening ceremony. He also made the first stitch in the flag. Joining the Governor in the opening ceremony was the Secretary of the State Denise Merrill and Deputy Treasurer of the State Jonathan Harris. The restorative patch was made up from a retired U.S. Flag that once flew over the State Capitol.

The opening ceremonies can be viewed here...

As part of the opening ceremony, six local heroes were honored for their contribution to our communities, our nation and our armed forces. They included:

TheLate Chief Michael J. Fallon nominated by Glen Richards– Michael J. Fallon, before he became the Chief of the Connecticut State Capitol Police Department, spent almost half his life, 22 years, as a police officer in the city of Hartford. From Police Explorer to Assistant Chief, Mike commanded or supervised approximately 25 divisions, units or special assignments. In each and every assignment and position, Mike Fallon gave every part of himself. Tragically, Chief Michael J. Fallon died December 4, 2009, at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer.

Kathryn Cross nominated by Diana McCormack- Kathryn is a Navy Gold Star Mother, an American Gold Star Mother Volunteer, Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services Gold Star Mother Representative for the Manhattan Harborside VA Medical Center and a member of the United War Veterans Council, producers of the New York City Veterans Day Parade. An accomplished artist, she creates thousands of greeting cards for distribution by volunteers currently in 26 states to service members and hospitalized veterans. Her son, Tyler (CorkyJo) J. Connely, was killed in 2002 while serving in the United States Navy as a Law Enforcement Specialist, K-9 & Training Seal.

SFC Carmelo Figueroa nominated by Lucia Goicoechea-Hernández- SFC Carmelo Figueroa is a Legislative Services Chairman for the Board of Directors of the Hispanic-American Veterans of CT, Inc. He is also a member of the group's Honor Guard. SFC Figueroa has served in the CT Army National Guard for many years and has been deployed many times, most recently to Afghanistan from March 2009 to June 2010.

Dante Grassi nominated by Bernie Sweeney- Dante Grassi is a 100 percent service-connected disabled Vietnam Veteran. Mr. Grassi has given of himself in helping other Vietnam Veterans start a business in Connecticut. He was a leader in putting together a web page for Connecticut Veterans to better assist them in obtaining information on a wide variety of areas: loans, medical assistance, financial aid and education assistance.

Judy Keane nominated by Dolores G. Sassano- Judy Keane lost her husband on 9/11; their boys lost their dad. She focused on carrying out the good work he had done in the community during his lifetime. While alive, Richard helped create a program with some friends to supervise sports, especially basketball, but also tutor and help youth with personal problems and school work. While continuing with his program and legacy, Judy has put efforts into creating a sports center in his memory She was able to secure 2 pieces of steel from the World Trade Center and to secure funding for expanding and creating the 9/11 Memorial Sports Center attached to the Pitkin Community Center in Wethersfield.

Michael Mastroni nominated by Kathryn Cross- Michael is the founder of The Connecticut Fallen Heroes Foundation dedicated to the fallen servicemen and women of Connecticut. Each year, the group holds fundraisers to raise the money to pay tribute to those from within the state of Connecticut who have been killed in the line of duty.

At Noon, Mayor Pedro E. Segarra with Hartford Public Library CEO Matthew Poland led a procession of dignitaries and community leaders from City Hall to Connecticut's Old State House to celebrate Hartford's role as the originator of Flag Day and close out the city's 375th anniversary year with a ceremony on the steps of the Old State House. After the ceremony, members of the public were able to participate in a public folding of the National 9-11 Flag.

Brunch with the Barnum and Bailey Elephants

Nine elephants from the Barnum & Bailey and Ringling Brothers Circus stopped by the Old State House for a snack, much to the enjoyment of 2,000 toddlers! With clowns, acrobats, and stilt performers leading the way, nine elephants walked down the street from the XL Center, tails grasped by the elephant behind them. The magnificent creatures caused laughter and smiles in the children as they ate a brunch comprised of watermelon, loaves of bread, carrots, and heads of lettuce.

Barnum himself served as a legislator in the Old State House and our own P.T. Barnum acted as the master of ceremonies for the event with the circus ringmaster.

Declaration of Independence at Connecticut's Old State House

On May 3, 2011, the document that transformed thirteen war-torn British colonies into the United States of America made its one-and-only stop in the state at Connecticut's Old State House. By making its first and only Connecticut stop at the Old State House, this original 1776 Dunlap Broadside copy of the Declaration of Independence made a strong connection to both the document's history (the Declaration would have been publicly read aloud from the site in 1776) and its current mission of citizen inspiration and engagement.

The document which was available for public viewing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. drew over 1,000 visitors. During the day, a dramatic reading by state leaders and celebrities included Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, and Chief Justice Chase Rogers. Other Connecticut celebrities included veteran broadcaster Pat Sheehan, Carolyn Lumsden, Hartford Courant Editorial Page Editor, Christopher Cloud, Partner: Camilliere, Cloud & Kennedy, and Tom Pelc, historic reenactor of Samuel Huntington (a Connecticut signer of the Declaration of Independence.) Prior to the event, the Old State House held a contest in which members of the public were invited to submit their own Declaration of Independence readings. The contest winner Rob Laughlin was a reader in the dramatic performance.

The reading was followed by a signature Old State House lunchtime panel discussion Making a Declaration:  Revolutionary Ideas, Modern Importance and the Preservation of a Founding Document, moderated by CT-N's Diane Smith. The panel comprised of Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, State Historian Walter Woodward and State Librarian Kendall Wiggin explored the Declaration from top to bottom, from the military and political history behind it, to its meaning to American democracy today, to the importance of preserving documents like it for future generations.

The panel discussion can be viewed here...

April 12, 2011 – The Start of the Civil War

As the state and nation marked the 150th anniversary since the start of the Civil War, the Old State House hosted a very special lunchtime lecture with Central Connecticut State University Professor, Dr. Matthew Warshauer. Over 100 people filled the courtroom for his dynamic speaking program, based on his ground breaking new book, Connecticut in the American Civil War: Slavery, Sacrifice & Survival. This free program was also part of official kickoff activities for Connecticut's commemoration of the Civil War's sesquicentennial. 

"People who have read the book have been surprised at what they've learned about Connecticut's role in the Civil War, and I imagine the Old State House's lecture audience will as well," said Dr. Warshauer.  "As with all conflicts, the story is far more nuanced, complicated - and fascinating - than the 'good versus evil' struggle we might have thought the war was all about."

On April 12, 1861, Confederate cannons opened fire on a small island in Charleston Harbor and changed the course of this nation forever.  With the clearing of the smoke from around Fort Sumter, our nation began a bloody and lengthy war with itself. Back home in Connecticut, opinion was divided – and support for the war hardly unanimous.  In his lecture, Professor Warshauer explored Connecticut's own unique Civil War story, drawing on the experiences of Connecticut people caught up in all sides of the conflict. 

Dr. Warshauer is a Professor of History at Central Connecticut State University and Co-Chair of the Connecticut Civil War Commission.  Booker DeVaughn, Co-Chair of the Connecticut Civil War Commemoration Commission provided introductory remarks.

Watch the entire program here...

2010 Events

First Night Hartford 2010

A central location that acted as an official First Night site and activities to please everyone was the right combination on December 31. Over 2,800 people walked through the door to explore history, make a New Years Eve mask, listen to performances and more.

Visitors were treated to living history performances, hands-on activities, clowns and tours. The museum exhibits were open from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. but the party didn't stop when the exhibits were closed.

At 6:00 p.m., Midnight Band, a teen cover band from Bolton, rocked the Courtroom with performances of cover songs from popular groups. At 8:45 p.m., they switched gears and took over as DJs for a teen dance party.

The Old State House top tent was warm inside with the flurry of visitors. With an ice sculptor, musical performances by Bill Walach and Sinetti & Roys, as well as fire pits and hot chocolate provided by local Boy Scouts, there was something for everyone at the Old State House on First Night.

2009 Events

John Brown: Terrorist or Martyr?  - December 2, 2009

On December 2nd, Connecticut's Old State House hosted the first in a series of four free lunchtime lectures. This first lecture focused on the Abolitionist John Brown, who led the revolt at Harpers Ferry in 1859 which ended with his trial and hanging. William Hosley, an independent scholar who was once the Executive Director at the former Antiquarian and Landmarks Society now known as Connecticut Landmarks and the Chief Curator for the American decorative arts at The Wadsworth Museum.

He spoke about Brown's background and how that groomed him to be one for fore front of human rights before the Civil War. He described the effects that his death on the nation, noting that two people scaled the Old State House to drape the Statute of Justice in black mourning cloth.

Over 50 people came to the lecture which ran from noon to 1 p.m.

This lecture can be viewed here...

Historic Halloween - October 30, 2009

With history in mind, the museum opened its doors for a Halloween event on October 30th. The evening began with a performance by the Judy Dworin Performance Project. The award-winning theatre/dance piece, "The Witching Hour," explored Connecticut's little known 17th-century witch craze, decades before the Salem witchcraft trials.

After the dance performance, Former State Troubadour Mike Kachuba continued with the history of Connecticut by singing and playing historic songs on his hammered dulcimer.

The highlight of the night was a reenactment of the 1865 murder trial of Albert Starkweather. Old State House staff acted out the parts of Starkweather, the defense attorney, the judge and a persistent old woman who disrupted the trial more than once. Starkweather's account of the night her killed his mother and sister, punctuated by the screams of the old woman gave goose bumps to everyone in the Courtroom.

Throughout the night, visitors were able to pay respects to Union General Nathaniel Lyon as he lay in state in the Senate room and check out one-night only additions to the Museum of Curiosities. The night ended with a moonlight tour of the Ancient Burying Ground, the oldest cemetery in downtown Hartford.

Summer Saturday, July 11, 2009

The Old State House hosted its first Summer Saturday on July 11. This day was set up as an exciting pre-Riverfest event. The day's happenings included guided and self-guided tour options, craft activities, a new exhibit in the Comptroller's office, a hands-on activity room, a scavenger hunt in the "History Is All Around Us" exhibit in the Mortensen Gallery, a Civil War tent and market in the Holcombe Center, and many Living History Performances.

Living History characters included Hannah Watson, former Connecticut Courant publisher, Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., the fifth Connecticut Governor, Governor and Mrs. Buckingham, Connecticut's Civil War Governor and his wife, Noah Webster, politician and author of the first American dictionary, and Joseph Steward, portrait artist and proprietor of Steward's Museum. There was also a Civil War Encampment outside on the lawn all day which helped take visitors back to the time of the Civil War. They were able to experience how it felt to be up close and personal with soldiers stationed at a camp during the Civil War.

Additionally, July 11 was the opening day of the Old State House Store!

Blue Cherry Band - Friday, July 10, 2009

On Friday, July 10, 2009, the Old State House welcomed local rock and blues band The Blue Cherry Band for a free public concert on the lawn outside. On the other end of the lawn was Travelers, who set up tents and delighted the public with giveaways, including free t-shirts. Additionally, Sidewalk Sam was in State House Square, and children and their families were able to help draw an artistic mural on the brick walking area. All of the activity on the lawn attracted upwards of 1,000 people to this area of Hartford!

2009 Connecticut Open House Day

Over 175 curious visitors stopped by on June 13th to take advantage of Connecticut's Open House Day at the Old State House. The day's events at the museum included living history characters, scavenger hunt, guided history tours, arts & crafts and more!

A special performance of Prudence Crandall & the Struggle for Equal Opportunity was given by the Connecticut History Day First Place team in the Junior Group category. The students were from Mansfield Middle School.

Other performances of the day included Living History portrayals of the fifth Connecticut Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. and former Connecticut Courant publisher Hannah Watson as well as accomplished Connecticut resident, politician and author of the first American dictionary, Noah Webster.

2009 Travelers Championship Events

On Wednesday May 13th 2009, Connecticut's Old State House hosted the Travelers Championship's "Red Umbrella Challenge," kicking off fundraisers for the upcoming golf tournament with a mini golf game between media, tournament officials and Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez.

The Red Umbrella Challenge had competitors face off on one hole set up on the Old State House Lawn. Instead of golf clubs, competitors used red umbrellas to hit their golf balls. Hartford Courant Sports Writer Tom Yantz took first place in the event, while WTIC News/Talk 1080 Sports Commentator Scott Gray acted as the Master of Ceremonies.

After the media participated, curious onlookers were able to give the entire 9-hole course a try.

Chip In For Charities and Birdies for Charities, the two fundraising programs kicked off by the Red Umbrella Challenge, will run the length of the tournament.

Stop by Connecticut's Old State House on June 16th for the official re-naming of Central Row to Champions Row in honor of the Travelers Championship. The street name change will last the duration of the tournament.

Tickets for the tournament are available at the visitor's desk at Connecticut's Old State House. The tickets sell for $20, $12 below gate admission. Tickets will be available until June 26th.

2009 Inauguration Event

On Tuesday January 20^th, the world welcomed a new president of the United States and Connecticut's Old State House opened its door to the public, free of charge, to witness the historic event with a television viewing of the ceremony.

Once the seat of our state government, Connecticut's Old State House offered the perfect setting as the United States inaugurated its new president. Over 150 people sat in the courtroom as President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden took their oaths of office. The group clapped and laughed together, some even cried out with happiness. Visitors were allowed to bring their lunches and also had the opportunity to tour the museum when the speeches were over.

A camera crew from NBC 30 was on hand to cover the event.

Connecticut's Old State House served as the Connecticut State Capitol from 1796 to 1873. The building was built with the hopes and dreams of democracy and a brighter future.  As today's event demonstrated, it still serves as "the people's house" today and remains open to the public year-round as a museum and learning center.