The capital of Connecticut is Hartford. Hartford has a population of about 123,000 as of 2019. It is one of the oldest cities in the state founded in 1635 by a group of settlers from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. They are memorialized on a monument in the Ancient Burial Ground and it is an honor to be descended from one of them.
In 1701 Connecticut came up with the unique idea of dual capitals, Harford and New Haven. This continued until 1875. The General Assembly alternated between the two cities and they both had capitol buildings.
Hartford was at one time one of the most prosperous cities in the country. It has the nickname 'The Insurance Captial of the World". It all began in the early 19th century with The Hartford Fire Insurance Company and other insurance companies followed including Aetna and The Travelers. The Travelers Insurance building is one of the most recognizable high-rise buildings of the Hartford Skyline and was the 7th tallest building in the world when it was constructed in 1919.
The Connecticut State Capitol building, designed by architect Richard M Upjohn has an impressive gold dome and overlooks Bushnell Park. It opened to the General assembly in 1879 and is still in use today. Bushnell Park is famous for its vintage 1914 carousel which has 48 hand-carved wooden horses and two chariots that have provided rides to generations of residents.
Hartford CT is also home to Elizabeth Park which has at its center the Helen S Kaman Rose Garden, the first municipal rose garden in the country. It encompasses two and a half acres with over 15,000 rose bushes and arches.
One of the most iconic and recognizable features in Hartford is the Colt Armory with its blue onion-shaped dome covered in gold stars. It is on the register of National Historic Places and part of Coltsville National Historical Park. The site has 10 buildings and includes luxury apartments and retail space.
The arts are alive and well in Hartford. It is home to the oldest continuously operating public museum in the United States. The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art opened its doors in 1844 and houses over 50,000 pieces of art. The Bushnell Performing Arts Center has been entertaining locals and visitors for more than 90 years with Broadways Shows, concerts, and stimulating educational evenings. Hartford Stage offers revivals of classics and provocative new productions.'