Underneath that blue dome lies the east armory of a factory once owned by a man who changed American history, the innovator of the revolver, Samuel Colt. Sprawling around the crumbling red brickwork of the old Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, once the largest private armory in the world, are the remnants of Coltsville, the utopian village he built for his workers.

A model of 19th century industrial paternalism, Coltsville included a church, a social hall for dances and lectures, workers’ housing, a giant landscaped park home to deer and peacocks, sculpted botanical gardens, and thousands of feet of greenhouses filled with tropical fruit and flowers. Samuel Colt felt such responsibility for the welfare of his workers outside the factory that he went so far as to build Potsdam Village, to replicate the feel of the German village from which he imported his skilled craftsmen to work in his willow ware factory.

The National Park Service began having on-site presence in 2015, with workshops and tours, including up into the Blue Onion Dome which affords magnificent views of downtown Hartford, the Connecticut River and Colt Park, formerly the back yard of Armsmear, Samuel & Elizabeth Colt’s mansion. By 2016, an NPS ranger had taken up residence in the South Armory and was giving walking tours of Coltsville.

The old South, East and North armories are under renovation and the two 1855 brownstone buildings, the oldest structures on site, will become the National Park Service Visitor Center. The armories themselves have been or are being renovated into apartments, offices and education facilities.

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Dec 12 - Dec 14

Top Sheldon-Charter Oak Pet-friendly Hotels

Exterior

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford

East Hartford

United States

Margarita

$95 nightly

Dec 19 - Dec 20

Total with taxes and fees

Exterior

Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG

Windsor Locks

United States

John

$83 nightly

Dec 4 - Dec 5

Total with taxes and fees

Exterior

Home2 Suites by Hilton Bristol

Bristol

United States

Jael

$127 nightly

Dec 14 - Dec 15

Total with taxes and fees

Front of property - evening/night

Inn at Middletown

Washington Street Historic District

United States

Katharine

$161 nightly

Dec 3 - Dec 4

Total with taxes and fees

Property amenity

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Hartford South – Rocky Hill

Rocky Hill

United States

Louella

$79 nightly

Dec 2 - Dec 3

Total with taxes and fees

Free daily buffet breakfast

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport

Windsor Locks

United States

Leslie

$109 nightly

Dec 2 - Dec 3

Total with taxes and fees

Lobby

Best Western Manchester

Manchester

United States

Troy

$77 nightly

Dec 8 - Dec 9

Total with taxes and fees

Property grounds

Lake - PetsOK - Wi-Fi - W&D - Fire Pit - Kayaks

Coventry Lake

United States

Rachel G.

$226 nightly

Dec 4 - Dec 5

Total with taxes and fees

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Top Sheldon-Charter Oak Hotel Reviews

Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG

Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"Yes"

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see and do with your pet in Sheldon-Charter Oak?

See the local sights and visit Connecticut River and Charter Oak Cultural Center. While you're there, make sure you don't miss Charter Oak Tree Memorial.

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Things to do in Hartford

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