Old State House Crisis

[jcrc]

Old State House Crisis

Despite a recent $3.2 million renovation, one of the nation's oldest historic state houses is on the verge of closing its doors.

Unless the state comes to the rescue, visitors will not be able walk the halls of the 211-year-old Federal-style building where the Amistad slave ship trial began, where presidents from Andrew Jackson to George H.W. Bush have visited and where U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd announced last month he was seeking the Democratic nomination for president.

The Connecticut Historical Society, which took over operations at the Old State House about four years ago, has said it will begin boarding up the 1796 National Historic Landmark on June 30.

[HartfordTycoon]

Old State House Crisis

Looks like the city of Hartford is washing its hands on the old state house. So what is a Hartford asset? A Hartford treasure?

[Yankee.Peddler]

I think the state should own and operate the Old State House. The state can provide a much more steady flow of resources for the structure than the city or the Historical Society. Besides, it celebrates the state's history, not just Hartford's.

[Luca Brasi]

Believe it or not, there were people in the 1970's who wanted to knock down the Old State House for a proposed parking garage.

[beerbeer]

Given the significance of the place, it should be part of the National Park Service.

[drc72]

Believe it or not, there were people in the 1970's who wanted to knock down the Old State House for a proposed parking garage.