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.

Sheldon-Charter Oak 4 Stars Hotels

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In-room safe, desk, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board

"Great hotel."

NT$4,662 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 31 - Sep 1

In-room safe, desk, laptop workspace, blackout drapes

"Went for a festival and it was perfect walking distance to the park and the cleaning staff was amazing "

NT$5,542 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 24 - Aug 25

Lunch and dinner served

"Beautiful hotel, safe area, walk to shopping and restaurants. The staff was extremely nice and accommodating."

NT$11,175 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 24 - Aug 25

Lobby

"Nice, clean, up to date. "

NT$5,542 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 24 - Aug 25

Room, 2 Double Beds (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-In Shwr) | Premium bedding, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

"Great for Convention Center visits. Clean rooms, friendly staff, and nice pool."

NT$11,694 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 24 - Aug 25

Front of property

"Great place to stay and eat."

NT$6,347 total

includes taxes & fees

Aug 19 - Aug 20

TV, pay movies

"Nice property, clean, good breakfast"

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Top Sheldon-Charter Oak Hotel Reviews

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford - Bradley Airport

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford - Bradley Airport

10/10 Excellent

"Great customer service!"

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