Hartford: The Heart of Connecticut
 |
|
|
Hartford Foliage
|
 |
|
|
Constitution
and American Flag
|
The city of Hartford was originally settled in 1623 as a Dutch trading post named House Of Hope. The Dutch soon abandoned the site and it was thirteen years before a group of English settlers formed a permanent colony here. Led by Reverend Thomas Hooker, the English contingent made peace with the Saukiog Indians, an Algonquin tribe native to the area, and christened the town site after Hertford, England. Reverend Hooker sought to establish a utopian society centered on religion. Though this dream was never fully realized, it was from one of his sermons that the Fundamental Orders were culled. This document established a government by consent of the people, the first recorded incident of such an occurrence. In 1639, the Fundamental Orders were adopted in Hartford, which in turn gave the rest of the United States a model from which to create an independent union of the states. The original draft of the United States Constitution took its shape from the Fundamental Orders, and hence earned Connecticut the nickname The Constitution State.
Connecticut is defined by its history, and Hartford is an integral part of that definition. The character of Hartford is indicative of the character of the state, with several attractions extolling the virtues of Connecticut's past. Over the years, the city has grown to include a ballet company, a symphony orchestra, corporate headquarters for many insurance companies and a large compliment of accommodations, restaurants and services. All of these attractions prove that Hartford lives up to its nickname as New England's Rising Star.
CLIMATE
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Climate
data from the NOAA |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hartford experiences moderate winters and summers. Temperatures fluctuate from cold winters to warm summers, with rapidly changing wind and storms that are well known to the residents of the New England coast. Hartford and the surrounding area are well equipped to deal with any weather system that should occur, making tavel a breeze no matter what the season. With the wealth of both indoor and outdoor attractions available to visitors, no time will be lost waiting for the weather to break.
TRANSPORTATION
Situated on Interstates 81 and 94, the Greater Hartford area is also known as the gateway to New England. The city of Hartford is set halfway between Boston and New York, just one and a half hours from either city. The Bradley International Airport serves Hartford and the surrounding area. Just 10 minutes from downtown, this airport is convenient and hosts a number of airlines for guests to choose from. There is also Union Station in downtown Hartford that offers train and charter bus service to the rest of Connecticut and points beyond.
Getting around while in Hartford is easy. There is a reliable public transit system that moves residents and travelers alike to the four corners of the city. Taxi cabs are also available at a nominal cost, with knowledgable drivers happy to help visitors get to where they want to go at any time. There are also several car rental agencies in Hartford for visitors to use, allowing visitors unlimited freedom while enjoying the magic of Hartford.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
Famous Hartford Residents
There are many different
attractions in and around the Hartford area, not the least of which is Mark
Twain's house. The famed American author once called Hartford home, and today
his home is available for viewing. It was in this house that Twain wrote many
of the classics for which he is known today, including Huck Finn and The Adventures
of Tom Sawyer. Boasting Tiffany decor, the sprawling 19-room mansion retains
its original feel of luxury. Visitors can experience where Twain lived for 17
years, exploring the antiques and house that Twain called home. Tours are offered
by appointment only, so curious visitors are encouraged to call ahead to make
arrangements.
 |
|
|
Mark
Twain's House
|
 |
|
|
Bushnell
Carousel
|
Bushnell Park in Hartford is said to be America's first public park. In 1853, Horace Bushnell proposed the idea of a park that would be maintained by public funds, ensuring that all citizens could enjoy a green space within the city. At the time of his proposal, the land was home to two leather tanneries, a soap factory, a pig farm and a garbage dump. Though this would seem like an unlikely place for a public park, the desired land was approved and Bushnell Park was created in 1854. Today, tours of the park are offered from May to October, giving visitors a better idea of the history and attractions available.
One of the more popular visitor destinations within the city of Hartford is the The Bushnell Park Carousel. Built in 1914, this carousel boasts 48 hand-carved horses complimented by an authentic Wurlitzer organ and a total of over 800 light bulbs that enhance the old-time feel of this antique amusement park ride. This carousel is unique in that it is one of only three surviving models that were hand-carved by Stein and Goldstein, famous manufacturers of carousels in the Hartford area. The cost to the public for this ride is nominal, making it a good family activity when in the city. Yet another popular family event that takes place in Bushnell Park is the annual Mark Twain Days festival, which celebrates the city's famous son, his books and the era in which he lived. Some of the activities offered during this festival include a fence whitewashing competition, rafting and other events that recall Twain's lifetime and his work.
 |
|
|
Theatre
Seats
|
Theatre
Theatre and the performing
arts are an important part of the fabric of Hartford. One of the more contemporary
attractions in Hartford is the National
Theatre for the Deaf. This theatre troupe produces plays that feature
signed and spoken language, allowing for a broader audience. Plays are produced
by this troupe year-round at a number of different venues throughout the city.
Another local theatre is the Webster
Theatre, dubbed the rock capitol of Hartford. Featuring five bars in
an art deco setting, this venue has been voted as the best live music venue
in town several times over. For a family-oriented live entertainment experience,
the city is also home to the Hartford
Children's Theatre, which produces plays with children in mind. Past
shows here include Oliver, The Snow Queen and To Kill a Mockingbird. Film is
also strongly represented in Hartford, with the Crown
Theatres providing 17 regular screens and one over-size screen, all
with digital sound. This mammoth complex features first-run movies and is a
popular venue for locals and visitors alike.
Historical Attractions
For lovers of American lore,
the Museum
of Connecticut History is a must-see attraction. The museum houses the
collection of firearms from the local Colt Factory and tells the story of Colonel
Samuel Colt, a man whose name has become synonymous with the revolving pistol
he invented in the late 19th century. The Menczer Museum of Medicine and Dentistry
can also be found in Hartford, with a number of exhibits that chronicle the
practices and tools used in early doctoring and dental hygiene. A unique attraction,
this museum can be found on Scarborough Street.
Hartford is also the site of The Wadsworth Atheneum, home to collections of art and artifacts that span more than 5000 years. At once a museum and art gallery, this venue is one of the jewels in Hartford's crown. The Atheneum first opened in 1842, making it America's oldest public art museum. Today, the Wadsworth Atheneum hosts an average of 15 shows per year, focusing on existing collections as well as up and coming artists.
BEYOND HARTFORD
The local attractions don't stop at the Hartford city limits. Several towns are easily accessible from the Greater Hartford area, such as Bolton, Burlington, Manchester, and more. Worth the drive is the Fish Family Farm Creamery and Dairy Farm, which is one of four dairies in the area that milk cows and bottle their own pasteurized milk. This dairy farm provides visitors with a number of pasteurized dairy options, including the production of ice cream, which is an important part of this operation. The Fish Family Farm is located in Bolton, and self-guided tours are available, after which visitors can take advantage of the old-fashioned ice cream maker and enjoy their own frozen treat. Comfortable accommodation can be found at one of the area bed and breakfasts for guests wishing to extend their stay.
 |
|
|
Dinosaur
Park
|
Roughly the same distance in the opposite direction from Hartford is Burlington, home to several outdoor-oriented attractions. The Burlington Fish Hatchery raises in excess of 90,000 pounds of trout annually. The fish are then used to stock Connecticut's lakes and waterways, providing recreational potential for visiting anglers. There is also a nature trail on the property that allows visitors to explore the native flora and fauna.
Ancient Hartford
To see the wilderness that
existed in Connecticut 200 million years ago, visit Dinosaur
State Park in Rocky
Hill, roughly eight miles south of Hartford. This park provides the
curious visitor with clues to the geography and animals that once roamed the
state, all of which is accentuated by an 80-foot diorama depicting a Jurassic
scene, a 30-foot diorama that explains the Connecticut Valley during the Triassic
period and two miles of nature trails that allow visitors to get out and explore
this National Historic Landmark. Interested parties are also encouraged to make
plaster casts of the dinosaur tracks in the Casting Area. Although materials
for casting are not provided, the staff will be happy to give instructions on
how to create a cast to take home as a souvenir.
Hartford and the surrounding towns present a number of choices for visitors, with attractions that range from history to art to the outdoors. Regardless of the destination or the amount of time, visitors can rest assured that there is no shortage of fun and adventure to be found in Central Connecticut and the Hartford area.
