Connecticut Democracy Center

06/10/2026

Connecticut’s Old State House is pleased to be one of the tourist attractions offering free admission on Saturday, June 13 – Open House Day 2026!

Did you know? In September of 1780 General George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and French military leaders met on the grounds of Connecticut’s Old State House to strategize how to win the Revolutionary War?

Come see Gilbert Stuart’s famous portrait of George Washington in the historic Senate chambers and where members of the House of Representatives sat. Step back in time and learn more about the founding of Connecticut Government and key moments in American History, including the trials of Prudence Crandall and the 53 rebellious Mende captives aboard The Amistad.

Take a journey in the history of Hartford in the Mortensen Gallery (fun for kids!) and peruse the portrait studio and odd collection within Rev. Joseph Steward’s Museum of Curiosities.

Saturday, June 13th
12 Noon – 4:00 pm
Admission is FREE

PARKING:
Parking at State House Square Parking Garage, located at 75 Market Street, costs a maximum of $10 with validation from Connecticut’s Old State House. Metered street parking is available. Free on-street parking is available after 6 pm and on weekends. Please follow posted parking instructions.

06/05/2026

Check out Ann Nyberg's interview with Mya Stettinger, Janu Patel and Priya Patel about the historical research the did for Connecticut History Day. All three are students at High School in the Community (HSC) in New Haven and after winning at the statewide competition have earned an invitation to compete at National History Day in Washington D.C. Connecticut History Day is a program of the Connecticut Democracy Center.

There are three young women, all high school students, who are doing their part to make the world a better place.

06/03/2026

Connecticut’s Old State House is pleased to kick off its annual Summer Music Series with Hartford native Nelson Bello on Friday, June 5, at noon. Mr. Bello is one of the premier percussionists to emerge from the Capital Region. Over a 20-year career, Nelson has shared the stage with some of the most iconic musicians in Latin music. At the age of fifteen, he traveled to Cuba to perform in the Havana International Jazz Festival and has since crossed paths with musical icons including Cheo Feliciano, Ismael Miranda, Tony Vega, Charles Flores, and Andy Gonzalez.

The Summer Concert Series at Connecticut’s Old State House is scheduled every Friday at 12 Noon from June 5 to October 2, 2026. Join us in the westside courtyard. All concerts are free. For a complete schedule, visit https://bit.ly/CTOSHSummerConcerts26

05/26/2026

📢🎉Shout out to teacher Katie Boland, who was recently awarded the 2026 Classroom Champion Award from Street Law, Inc. Katie, a social studies teacher at Trumbull High School, collaborates with the Connecticut Democracy Center to utilize the Center for Civic Education's "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" curriculum in her classroom. Over the years, Katie has coached and guided students to 14 state championships and five Top-10 finishes at the “We The People” national competition.

This annual Street Law, Inc. award recognizes educators who demonstrate exemplary use of Street Law materials and pedagogy. Boland regularly integrates Street Law’s resources to move students beyond memorizing constitutional concepts and teaches them to use primary sources to connect with court cases, amendments, and other complex materials, to identify broader constitutional trends.

Katie is another exceptional teacher who helps us forge a lifetime pathway for young people to effectively engage in civic life and strengthen their communities!

05/20/2026

230 is the new 40! Friends joined the birthday celebration commemorating Connecticut's Old State House, which included a birthday cake baked by Natalie Townsend, owner of Nevaeh’s Cake Creations and winner of the 2025 Election Cake Bake Off!

Did you know that General George Washington and Alexander Hamilton stood on these grounds in September of 1780 to meet with French General Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau and the Marquis de Lafayette? This meeting marked the start of an alliance that led to American independence and ended the Revolutionary War.

This historic site has borne witness to some of the most pivotal narratives in our state’s history, including the landmark Amistad and Prudence Crandall trials, as well as the Constitutional Convention of 1818.

Plan your visit this summer! Stop by our Farmer's Market every Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 2pm, and enjoy our Summer Concert Series on Fridays at Noon. For details, visit www.ctoldstatehouse.org.

05/18/2026

👏Congratulations to our friend and partner Brian Grindrod, who recently received the Award for Excellence in Social Studies Education (Grades 9-12) from the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies.

Brian has been a social studies teacher at Wilbur Cross High School since 2014. He is passionate about project-based learning (PBL), where students move beyond traditional textbooks to engage directly with the mechanics of democracy through authentic, real-world challenges. He does this by collaborating with The Connecticut Democracy Center by supporting the Center for Civic Education's "We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution" curriculum in his classroom. This award highlights Brian's commitment to fostering student advocacy.

Teachers like Brian Grindrod help us forge a lifetime pathway for young people to develop the skills they need to engage in civic life and strengthen their communities!🎉

05/14/2026

Check out coverage of Governor Lamont's recent press conference at Connecticut's Old State House about statewide plans to celebrate American independence. We're inviting you to start the celebration on Saturday, May 16 at 12 Noon to commemorate the 230th birthday of Connecticut's Old State House. Come for a tour, kids activities, cake, a craft fair, food trucks and Bizarre Bazaar on State House Square!

🎶 Live music by the Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble.

This historic site has witnessed pivotal moments in Connecticut’s story—from the Amistad and Prudence Crandall trials to the Constitutional Convention of 1818. Come celebrate the legacy!

☔ Rain or shine
🎟 FREE admission
RSVP here: http://ct-dc.org/qr.asp?q=BDayRSVP2026

Connecticut is gearing up to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a year-long series of events happening across all 169 towns and cities.State leaders unv...

05/13/2026

🎉Can you make it?

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon honoring American history by celebrating the 230th birthday of Connecticut's Old State House and the 250th birthday of the United States of America

🗓 Saturday, May 16, 2026
🕑 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Connecticut’s Old State House, 800 Main Street, Hartford
🍰 Enjoy birthday cake by Natalie Townsend of Nevaeh’s Cake Creations (winner of the 2025 Election Cake Bake Off!)

🎶 Live music by the Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble
🛍 Spring Market featuring Connecticut-made vendors & crafters
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly activities and tours

🎪 Don’t miss the Bizarre Bazaar with crafts, food trucks, and live music on State House Square, courtesy of Hartford.com!

☔ Rain or shine
🎟 FREE admission
👉 RSVP here: http://ct-dc.org/qr.asp?q=BDayRSVP2026

05/11/2026

🎉 Let There Be Cake! Join us for a fun-filled afternoon honoring American history by celebrating the 230th birthday of Connecticut's Old State House and the 250th birthday of the United States of America.

🗓 Saturday, May 16, 2026
🕑 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Connecticut’s Old State House, 800 Main Street, Hartford

🍰 Enjoy birthday cake by Natalie Townsend of Nevaeh’s Cake Creations (winner of the 2025 Election Cake Bake Off!)
🎶 Live music by the Val Ramos Flamenco Ensemble
🛍 Spring Market featuring Connecticut-made vendors & crafters
👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly activities and tours

🎪 Don’t miss the Bizarre Bazaar with crafts, food trucks, and live music on State House Square, courtesy of Hartford.com!
This historic site has witnessed pivotal moments in Connecticut’s story—from the Amistad and Prudence Crandall trials to the Constitutional Convention of 1818. Come celebrate the legacy!

☔ Rain or shine
🎟 FREE admission
👉 RSVP here: http://ct-dc.org/qr.asp?q=BDayRSVP2026 See less

05/07/2026

⏰ Final hours of The Great Give! We’re so close to our goal—but we need your help! Click here to donate: https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/connecticut-democracy-center

The Connecticut Democracy Center runs civic education programs including Connecticut's Kid Governor, Connecticut History Day, and programming at Connecticut's Old State House.

Your support today ensures more students across Connecticut — especially those in school districts with fewer resources — can access our programs that help students build confidence, civic knowledge, and leadership skills.

Don’t miss your chance to make an impact before 8 PM tonight!