Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut

Here’s a weird one for you, and it’s not often I can say that and proceed to talk about a state history museum. Indeed, the Old State House in Hartford, Connecticut is everything you’d expect, but then again, it’s something else entirely.

More or less two museums in one, the Old State House is firstly a Connecticut history museum. Situated in a gorgeous Federal style mansion completed in 1796, the State house served as the state capital from the time of its completion until 1873. The state has been good to the old girl (one of the oldest left in the nation, I might add), and due to consistent restoration and preservation efforts the house is as beautiful today as it likely was over two hundred years ago.

The first museum explores the history of Connecticut with a strong focus on the Hartford area. Everything from early-iteration fire engines to the actual spelling books of dictionary magnate and Hartford native Noah Webster are on display. It’s a wide collection. From this museum, our favorite attraction is actually the building itself. The chambers, including the city council and state senate room, are carefully-preserved and remarkably scenic. Don’t skip it.

Both guided and self-guided tours are available.

Now here comes the weird part. Visitors of the Old State House are also welcome to explore the Joseph Steward Museum of Curiosities, located on the third floor. This unusual attraction recreates a museum of art and curiosities run by prominent American artist Joseph Steward in the state house from 1797 to 1808 before outgrowing the space.

Curiosities is a vague term, and I imagine that’s just how Steward liked it. Items on display include a stuffed two-headed cow, a preserved two-headed fetal pig, a hand-sized crustacean claw, wax likenesses, African furniture, a massive oyster shell and something that is supposedly the rib a whale. Plus many, many more.

It’s a fascinating, unusual end to your average history tour, and something that we’ve never seen another state history museum come close to. We like both museums, but no doubt it’s the museum of curiosities that really makes the day.

It’d be nice if they could do it free, but at $6 for adults and $3 for younger children, the tour is fairly inexpensive and worth the cost of admission.

The Old State House is located is downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Hours and operating days change seasonally. Currently the museums are open Tuesday-Saturday; 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Learn more.

For downtown Hartford hotels, we’re big fans of the Crowne Plaza Hartford. The location is choice for visiting the Old State House, and they offer a complimentary area shuttle, free weekend parking and even a tasty restaurant.

Have fun!

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