Unfortunately, since we are not an official park yet, we do not currently have a park stamp.

Stamp Status

Coltsville NHP is working toward establishment and is not yet an official park. We do not have a Visitor Center and visitor services are limited. For more information please visit our Park Development and Calendar pages.

Park in Progress

When Samuel Colt started his Hartford factory on the banks of the Connecticut River in 1847, it followed years of mismanagement and failure. Soon, demand for Colt's revolver would change his fortunes and the Colt empire was born. Following Colt's untimely death in 1862, his wife, Elizabeth Colt, would lead the company to its legendary status, and influence Hartford for over 40 years.

Blue dome atop a large factory behind a river

Colt Armory Complex

The Blue Onion Dome of the Armory and the spire of the Church against a cloudy blue sky.

Coltsville Dome and the Church of the Good Shepherd

A church and trees against the backdrop of a bight blue sky and clouds.

The Church of the Good Shepherd

A tan and brown building, built in the Italian Villa style with rounded arches and balconies.

Armsmear

A tan and brown building with numerous design elements meant resemble a ship, against a blue sky.

The Caldwell Memorial Parish House

A red brown building with a wooden enclosed spaced in front of trees on a cloudy day.

The Colt Carriage House

A memorial statue of a young and adult Samuel Colt

Samuel Colt Statue

A statue of a young and an adult Samuel Colt in front of a tree with a cloudy sky.

A white stone building with multiple windows and three chimneys with green grass and a black fence.

Coltsville Worker Housing

Coltsville

Self-Guided Tours - Walking

The East Armory Complex is the hub of all our self-guided tours. From here you'll begin your tour or be directed to the start point.

Visitor of all age can enjoy this self-guided tour. Children should be accompanied by an adult.

Complete as many stops as you'd like. Our longest tour is about 2 hrs.

A blue onion dome behind a brownstone building and next to a white building on a clear day.

The Blue Onion Dome and Brownstones

At the East Armory Complex, you will find parking and where you will start your walking tour or be guided to your starting point. As this is a place of business and residence, please be respectful of individuals in the area.  

<h3>Welcome to Coltsville National Historical Park!</h3> While we are not yet an established park, we encouraged you to get out and explore the sites in this historic location. Using the <a href="https://coltsvillenhp.oncell.com/">Coltsville NHP App</a>, explore this industrial city on a self-guided walking tour, visiting at eleven different sites all while learning about Samuel Colt and Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt. As you walk this historic district, take a moment to reflect upon the ingenuity of a man and how Samuel and Elizabeth changed the landscape and history of Hartford and the United States. Many of these locations are now private residences and are not open to the public, therefore please be respectful of the current residents while walking the grounds of Coltsville.

Pets must be on a six-feet leash. Pick up all pet waste and deposit in trash receptacles.

Explore the sites and history of Coltsville National Historical Park through a self-guided walking tour.

Coltsville Self-Guided Tours

Immigration

Industry

Factories

Migrant Workers

Military

Armories

Infantry and Militia

Monuments and Memorials

Science, Technology and Innovation

Wars and Conflicts

Civil War

Spanish-American War

World War I

World War II

Playground

Colt Park offers many different recreational opportunities that will appeal to individuals of all ages. From a playground to numerous sports fields, a pool and a walking path, there is plenty to do at the park.  

There are many different recreational opportunities at Colt Park that appeal to children and adults of all ages. Minors should be supervised by an adult.

There are many different recreational opportunities at Colt Park. One can spend as much or as little time at the Park as they would like, but make sure to check out the Samuel Colt Memorial Statue! 

Early spring at Colt Park with green grass and recreational facilities in the background.

Colt Park

Colt Park was once a part of the estate of Hartford Industrialist Samuel Colt and his wife, Elizabeth. The grounds were originally landscaped in High Victorian Style with gardens, statues, fountains, walking paths, a lake, farms and a deer park. It was a place for the Colts and the Factory Workers to reconnect with nature.  After Elizabeth passed, the park was deeded to the City of Hartford in 1905 to be used by future generations. While the park no longer looks the same, it serves the same function, encouraging individuals to get outside and enjoy nature.  Colt Park offers many different recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages. The Park has numerous recreational facilities including basketball courts, soccer, football, softball and baseball fields and for the younger ages there is a playground. The Park also has a swimming pool, splash pad and a walking path.  Aside from reconnecting with nature, you can also reconnect with the history of the Colts by viewing the Potsdam Cottages located just outside the park on Curcombe St. and visiting and examining at the architecture of the Gardner and Carriage House in Colt Park, located near the pools.   A visit to Colt Park would not be complete without stopping to see the Samuel Colt Monument commissioned by Elizabeth located near Wethersfield Ave. Here, nestled under an oak tree, stands a testament to the man who greatly impacted Hartford and the United States through his technological innovations and the development of an industrial village. Colt Park is a perfect place to bring the family as it offers various outdoor opportunities and a chance to learn about the history of Hartford, all without ever having to leave the city.

Pets are allowed but they need to be on a leash.

The park is open to the public. Some recreation facilities within the park can be reserved by going to <a href="javascript:HandleLink(">City of Hartford Recreation Division Website</a>.

Colt Park, once apart of the estate of Samuel Colt and Elizabeth Hart Colt, was deeded to the City of Hartford in 1905. Today the park offers many recreational opportunities that appeal to people of all ages. Colt Park has numerous soccer, baseball, softball and football fields along with a playground, a swimming pool and a walking path. It offers an ability to connect with nature while remaining in an urban center.

Spend an Afternoon at Colt Park

Urban America

The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Caldwell Colt Memorial Parish House were commissioned by Elizabeth Hart Colt as memorials to her loved ones. Within the design of these two buildings, Elizabeth incorporated many elements to recall the passions of Samuel and Caldwell. Starting at the Armory, talk a walk to these two memorial buildings and examine the exterior stonework. What does this stonework tell you about Samuel, Caldwell and Elizabeth?

This activity is suited for individuals of all ages, but the walk between the Armory Parking and the Church of the Good Shepherd is about half a mile in length.

Expect to spend around one hour for this activity, between examining the stonework and walking to the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Parish House from the Colt Armory Complex. 

A church with green grass and bare trees in front against a blue sky.

After the death of Samuel Colt in 1862, Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt commissioned the building of the Church of the Good Shepherd as a memorial to him and their three children who passed in infancy. The church was designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter and included many elements on the exterior and interior that gave remembrance to Samuel, their children and Elizabeth's family. The exterior of the church, especially the Armorers Porch, incorporates different parts of the Colt Revolver which would be easily recognized by the factory workers. The many stained glass windows are dedicated to family members, with a focal point being on the two large windows at the back of the church bringing remembrance to Samuel and their three infants.  The Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House was built by Edward Tuckerman Potter and commissioned by Elizabeth after the passing of her and Samuel's only son who lived to adulthood, Caldwell Hart Colt. The Parish House, much like the Church of the Good Shepherd, was designed to keep the memory of Caldwell alive while serving the community of Hartford. The exterior and interior of the Parish House tells of Caldwell's passion for exploration and worldly travel. The love Elizabeth had for her son can also be seen carved into stone as a lasting tribute.  Become a historian and do some investigating! Part of the job of a historian is to examine an object and draw conclusions. Using what you know about the Colt Story, examine the buildings, stonework and glass windows. What can you learn about Samuel, Caldwell and Elizabeth from them? What story do these buildings tell of the Colts?  If someone designed a building to remember you, what would be included? What would the design of the building look like? What symbols would it include?  Please note, that while the grounds are open to the public, the buildings are not. Tours can be requested by contacting the Church of the Good Shepherd.  You can explore the interiors of the <a href="javascript:HandleLink(">Church of the Good Shepherd</a> and the <a href="https://www.capturepics.com/3d-model/27365-2/skinned/">Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House</a> by checking out 3D Tours of both locations.

Pets are allowed, but they must be on a leash. 

Reservations are not required to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Caldwell Colt Memorial Parish House. If you would like to see the inside of the buildings, tours can be requested by contacting the <a href="javascript:HandleLink(">Church of the Good Shepherd</a>.

The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House were commissioned by Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt in remembrance of her husband, infant children and their son. Within the design of the two buildings, Elizabeth incorporated many elements that tell of the passions of Samuel and Caldwell. By examining the stonework of these two buildings, what can we learn about these two men who were dearly loved by Elizabeth? What can we learn about Elizabeth?

The Story of the Colts: Symbolism at the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Parish House

Architecture and Building

Religion and Spirituality

Churches

The East Armory Complex, while not open to the public, can be seen from various locations in Hartford. Parking is available nearby and one can walk around the Armory, while being respectful of the businesses and residents. The Great River Park is within walking distance and provides excellent views of the Armory from across the Connecticut River. 

This activity is suited for anyone of any age as parking is close by. If you chose to extend your adventure by walking around, do note that the walk to Great River Park is just over a mile.  

Spend as much or as little time as you would like walking around the Colt Armory Complex and taking in the sights. Make sure to strike a pose for an amazing photo in front of the Blue Onion Dome. The walk to Great River Park is just over a mile and there are amazing views of the Armory from across the Connecticut River.

The Colt Dome between the two brownstone buildings on a cloudy day

Colt Dome

The East Armory Complex, graced by the Blue Onion Dome and Rampart Colt, is one of the most recognizable features in the Hartford Skyline. Samuel, inspired by his trips to Russia, would replicate the onion dome style, but would add his own flair by adorning it with a Rampant Colt.  The Blue Dome can be seen as one drives into Hartford, nestled in amongst the skyscrapers, serving as a reminder of the man who helped build and define the city. Seeing the dome as you approach the city is amazing, but seeing it from the perspective of a factory worker heading to work, fills one with a sense of awe at the accomplishments and impact one family had on Hartford and the United States. Looking up at the dome from the ground, between the two brownstone buildings, one can see the factory bustling with workers and hear the machinery and workers chattering. Take a moment, to reflect upon the legacy of the Colts before striking a pose for an amazing photo!  Aside from striking at pose at the East Armory Complex take a walk to the Great River Park, just over one mile away. Here the Armory Complex and Blue Dome pop against the city skyline and provide great photo opportunities as you walk along the Connecticut River.  The dome is beautiful at all times of the year; in the summer as if it was painted against the bright blue sky or in winter as it glistens with snow. Whether you are a firearm enthusiast, a lover of history or just looking to see the sights, this calling card of Samuel Colt is a must see for anyone who visits the City of Hartford. Please note, the East Armory and Dome are not open to the public and the National Park Service is not conducting tours at this time due to safety, liability and accessibility reasons. While we are unable to conduct tours of the Dome at this time, check out our <a href="javascript:HandleLink(">3D Dome Tours</a> that provide a view of the City of Hartford from inside the Dome!

The Blue Dome and Rampart Colt have long graced the skyline of Hartford and have stood as a symbol of the famed industrialist Samuel Colt. There are many locations within Hartford where the Dome can be seen, but seeing it from the perspective of a worker heading to work, fills one with a sense of awe at the accomplishments and impact one family had on Hartford and the United States.

Alert: Stamp Status: Unfortunately, since we are not an official park yet, we do not currently have a park stamp.

Coltsville

Overview

Hours

Fees & Passes

Map

Things To Do

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Coltsville Self-Guided Tours

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Spend an Afternoon at Colt Park

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The Story of the Colts: Symbolism at the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Parish House

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Strike a Pose at the Armory

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