Ali Ginnett
President
Destination CT! A Division of Celebration Meetings and Events
Glastonbury, Conn.
What are three of the most interesting ways for groups to experience the rich history of Hartford?
President
Destination CT! A Division of Celebration Meetings and Events
Glastonbury, Conn.
What are three of the most interesting ways for groups to experience the rich history of Hartford?
- Mark Twain and Harriett Beecher Stowe Homes: Minutes from downtown Hartford, these adjacent properties feature the beautiful homes and gardens of two of America’s most celebrated writers. Step back in time to see how Mark Twain was not only innovative in his written work but also in the design and building of his circa-1873 home. Next door is the circa-1870 residence of Harriett Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Groups can tour her lovingly restored home, Victorian gardens and carriage house. Both homes are National Historic Landmarks, and the experience is enhanced by guides who know as much about the homes as their famous owners.
- Old Wethersfield: It’s only eight minutes by car from Hartford, but it’s a story centuries in the making at this living, working New England village, the first permanent settlement and largest Historic District in Connecticut. First inhabited by the Wongunk Indians 1,000 years ago, the village was discovered in 1634 by veterans of the Mayflower landing. Shade-covered lanes reveal architectural treasures, including 50 houses built before the Revolutionary War and 100 built by the time of the Civil War. Visitors can enjoy the Wethersfield Museum, see Washington’s bedroom at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, or take in the simple pleasures of dining, strolling and antiquing in this heritage classic.
- Essex Steam Train and Riverboat Ride: Some 40 minutes from Hartford, this scenic rail route, in existence since 1868, is one of Connecticut’s most treasured destinations. Powered by an early 19th century locomotive, groups ride in vintage cars through beautiful countryside, disembarking in the quaint town of Chester before returning. Groups can add a cruise on the Becky Thatcher, a 70-foot-long, three-deck riverboat available for private charters and sightseeing tours along the historic Connecticut River Valley. Another option is to take a ferry and then hike to Gillette Castle State Park, home to a fantastical fieldstone castle built by actor William Gillette, famed for his early 1900s portrayal of Sherlock Homes on Broadway.