State Capitol: Connecticut State Capitol - Hartford, CT

Connecticut State Capitol

Hartford, CT

N 41° 45.832 W 072° 40.957

Under the Dome

Short Description: 

Connecticut State Capitol is located on a hill at the north end of Bushnell Park at 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT

Long Description:

After the Civil War it was evident that the old State House was inadequate, so the General Assembly authorized a million dollar project to construct a new building in Hartford. Richard M. Upjohn was chosen as the architect and James G. Batterson the contractor. As contrator, Batterson then continually revised Upjohn's plan. The central tower is Batterson's design, not Upjohn's. Construction began in 1871 and ended in 1878. Cost overruns more than doubled the cost to over $2,500,000.

The resulting highly ornate building is a masterpiece of Eastlake style design. The building's facades display statuary and include several statues, medallions and carved tympana over the doors. The statues are of people important to the state's history including: Connecticut's founder the Reverend Thomas Hooker, Governor John Winthrop, Jr., Roger Sherman, Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Noah Webster, and the newest addition Governor Ella T. Grasso, the first female governor of the state who died in 1981.

Civil War Monument: Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch - Hartford, CT

Soldiers and Sailors 

Memorial Arch

Hartford, CT

N 41° 45.931 W 072° 40.796

Short Description: 

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch is located in Bushnell Park on Trinity Street south of Ford Street in Hartford.

Long Description:

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, the first permanent triumphal arch erected in America, is dedicated to the men from Hartford who served in the Civil War. The arch is 116' high, 30' wide and 67' in circumference. It was create by a large team of artists: Albert Entress, Caspar Buberl, Samuel James Kitson - sculptors; George W. Keller - architect; Hiram Bissell, Augustus Budde - contractors; Boston Terra Cotta Company - fabricator. The arch was dedicated September 17, 1886.

The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial is a Gothic style arch featuring two medieval towers joined by a classical frieze that encircles the arch. The north frieze depicts events of the the war. General Grant is on the far right observing battle scenes involving infantry, cavalry and marines. The south frieze depicts the peace following the war. A allegorical female figure representing the City of Hartford is in the center. To either side citizens gathered to welcome home returning soldiers. On the north side of the arch are a Navy anchor, Artillery cannons. On the south side are Calvary crossed sabers, and Infantry crossed rifles. A farmer, blacksmith, mason, student, carpenter, and African-American male breaking the chains of bondage are located in niches on the towers. Each tower is topped by a finial of a bronze angel, one playing a trumpet, the other cymbals.

On the southeast side a tablet is inscribed:

IN HONOR

OF THE MEN OF HARTFORD

WHO SERVED

AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL

ON LAND AND ON SEA

IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION

THEIR GRATEFUL TOWNSMEN

HAVE RAISED THIS MEMORIAL

On the southwest side a tablet is inscribed:

DURING THE CIVIL WAR

1861-1865

MORE THAN 4,000 MEN OF HARTFORD

BORE ARMS IN THE NATIONAL CAUSE

NEARLY 400 OF WHOM

DIED IN THE SERVICE

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ERECTED 1885

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GEORGE KELLER, ARCHITECT          CASPER BUBERL & SAMUEL KITSON SCULPTORS