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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Top Sheldon-Charter Oak Resorts & Hotels with Spas

Couples treatment rooms, body treatments, aromatherapy

Delamar West Hartford

West Hartford

Full-service spa
Massages
Couples treatment rooms

NT$10,430 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 23 - Nov 24

Couples treatment rooms, sauna, hot tub, body treatments, hydrotherapy

Marriott Hartford Downtown

Downtown Hartford

Full-service spa
Massages
Couples treatment rooms
Sauna

NT$11,792 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 28 - Nov 29

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Top Sheldon-Charter Oak Hotel Reviews

Hilton Garden Inn Hartford North/Bradley Int'l Airport

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent day. I will definitely return even though it is not as convenient for me as some of the other locations."

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Frequently asked questions

Looking for a spa hotel in Sheldon-Charter Oak?

Book one of our fantastic spa hotels and pamper yourself from the moment you arrive. Hotels with spas are a great way to take a break from your daily routine and add a layer of luxury to your weekend away.

What's there to see and do in Sheldon-Charter Oak?

When you're in Sheldon-Charter Oak, enjoy exploring the sights and attractions here including Connecticut River, Charter Oak Cultural Center, and Charter Oak Tree Memorial. If you have a bit of extra time while you're in the area, you might want to check out Hartford City Hall and Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art.

What is a Sheldon-Charter Oak spa hotel?

Spa hotels in Sheldon-Charter Oak have on-site spas and offer services such as facials and a selection of body treatments. Some also provide a selection of in-room treatments for the ultimate luxury. Spa hotels are ideal if you are looking for some R&R during your vacation.

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