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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Frequently asked questions

What's it like to vacation in Sheldon-Charter Oak while staying at a water park hotel?

You'll find an interesting assortment of family activities in Sheldon-Charter Oak sure to please both kids and grownups.

What attractions should we see while we're in Sheldon-Charter Oak?

While you and your family are enjoying Sheldon-Charter Oak, you might want to visit some family-friendly attractions such as Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford Stage, and XL Center. Other favorite sights include Charter Oak Cultural Center and Hartford Downtown Farmers Market.

What do hotels with water parks in Sheldon-Charter Oak typically offer?

Staying in a hotel with a water park provides fun for your entire family. Guests staying at the hotel can generally use the hotel's on-site water park or a water park located nearby. There is no charge for water park access at some properties while others may charge a modest fee. Pack your swimsuits and enjoy a memorable getaway to Sheldon-Charter Oak: inviting pools, waterfalls, and waterslides await.

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