Built in 1796 and designed by Charles Bulfinch — the architect behind the original US Capitol — Hartford's Old State House is one of the finest Federal-style public buildings in New England. It served as Connecticut's seat of government until 1878. Inside, a notable portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart is on display, along with exhibits on Connecticut history. The Senate Chamber has been restored to its early 19th-century appearance. On the upper floor, the quirky Museum of Natural and Other Curiosities displays oddities in the tradition of Joseph Steward's original collection, including a two-headed calf that has puzzled visitors since 1797.
Old State House
Bulfinch's 1796 Federal masterpiece, home to a two-headed calf
| Address | 800 Main Street, Hartford, CT |
|---|---|
| Phone | (860) 522-6766 |
| Website | https://www.ctosh.org |
A story
The two-headed calf on display upstairs has been a Hartford landmark since 1797, when artist Joseph Steward opened his museum of curiosities in the same building where the state legislature was meeting — one of the more improbable cohabitations in American civic history.