The state of Connecticut unveiled a new ad campaign last fall with an attention-getting slogan: “Still Revolutionary.”
It’s a reference to the state’s prominent role in the nation’s early history, and for meeting planners, it’s a tag line that can be interpreted in some especially interesting ways. After all, this is a destination that not only served as a setting for important encounters in centuries past; it continues to be a convenient location for business and institutional meetings, with an array of historic venues providing unique settings.
“Connecticut is the perfect place for meeting planners, as it blends its historic past with the contagious energy of today’s dreamers and doers,” says Rena Calcaterra, marketing and public relations coordinator for the Connecticut Office of Tourism. “Meeting attendees will find inspiration throughout the state by having their meetings at places like Connecticut’s Old State House, a National Historic Landmark and one of the nation’s oldest state houses, or the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the nation’s oldest continuously operated public art museum—and many more.”
Each of the state’s five main regions is home to its own share of interesting venues. Here are just a few ways that planners can imbue their events with historic proportions.
Hartford/River Valley
The River Valley region, which cuts through the center of the state, stretches from the northern border to the southern coast. The largest metropolis, Hartford, is the state capital and a hub for business, government and other institutions.
First incorporated in 1784, Hartford is one of the nation’s oldest cities and offers a number of ways for planners to add historic flavor to their next gathering. Connecticut’s Old State House, which dates to 1796, has multiple venues available for rental, including a courtroom, which accommodates 230 reception-style or 117 banquet-style, and the original governor’s office, which can host 50 reception-style or 23 banquet-style. Audiovisual equipment allows for 21st century presentations, while a 6,800-square-foot multimedia exhibit named History Is All Around—as well as the services of knowledgeable tour guides—can help attendees get more out of their experience.
Group gatherings take on an artistic bent at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the nation’s oldest continuously operated public art museum, which dates to 1842. With its impressive collection of Hudson River School landscapes, Old Master paintings and modernist masterpieces, the facility can be an especially rewarding venue for groups that appreciate creativity through the ages. The Morgan Great Hall, which has 50-foot ceilings, can host up to 120 for dinner or 200 for a reception against a backdrop of contemporary artwork, while the 284-seat Aetna Theater, which is decorated with neo-romantic murals, is a good choice for presentations, with full audiovisual capabilities and a stage among the amenities. Another option at the museum is Avery Court, which is graced with a working fountain sculpture, Venus with Nymph and Satyr, created by the Mannerist sculptor Pietro Francavilla in 1600 for a garden in Florence.
South of Hartford is Middletown, which was incorporated in 1650 with its original Native American name, Mattabeseck. Today, one of the area’s best venues for private events is the Wadsworth Mansion, which was built in 1900 by Col. Clarence Wadsworth, who worked with the famed Olmsted landscape architectural firm to create a 500-acre paradise of forests and pastures. Up to 200 guests can be accommodated for seated events at the stately home; tented lawn events can accommodate larger numbers.
In the River Valley region, as in many parts of the state, even accommodations can provide historic style to group gatherings. Just outside of the city of Hartford is the Simsbury Inn, a member of Classic Hotels of Connecticut. This 100-room luxury hotel exudes the style of a New England country inn, while incorporating amenities that are high on planners’ lists: meeting rooms, a 25-person ballroom, a restaurant and cafe, a pool and a health club. In addition, with advance notice, guests can make use of free chauffeured transportation to and from airports and local destinations.PageBreak
Greater New Haven
Yale University is a legendary presence in the city of New Haven—and considering this hallowed institution’s Ivy League status, it’s no surprise that Yale is well-versed at serving the needs of conferences and groups of various sizes.
Founded in 1701 when Connecticut was still a colony, Yale University is one of the world’s leading educational institutions and welcomes groups from around the world.
More than 500,000 square feet of total meeting space—including a 2,600-seat theater, 150- to 500-seat auditoriums and classrooms that seat between 10 and 150—are among the offerings. The Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History is one of the interesting venues for cocktail receptions, sit-down dinners and meetings, including its dramatic Great Hall of Dinosaurs, which accommodates 300 standing and 155 seated. More recent history is on display in the Southern New England Dioramas exhibit, which hosts 115 standing guests and 50 seated.
Another interesting event venue is the New Haven Museum and Historical Society, which documents the 300-year history of Greater New Haven, from the Quinnipiac Indians through recent urban renewal programs. The auditorium and ballroom are available for groups of up to 100 people, while the foyer and upper rotunda can be added to host 96 for dinner and receptions.
Fairfield County
Conveniently close to the metropolitan New York City area, Connecticut’s Fairfield County is home to several group-friendly sites that are a tribute to the state’s history.
The Fairfield Museum and History Center offers two distinct venues for meetings and events. The facility’s crown jewel is the Burr Mansion, which is located in the heart of Fairfield’s Old Post Road historic district and was built around 1790. During the American Revolution, the home hosted the likes of George Washington, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams and Aaron Burr. Today, the 15-room former residence, which is surrounded by four acres of well-manicured gardens and reflecting pools, can host up to 125 reception-style and 95 banquet-style. Tents are available for even more guests.
Also run by the same organization is the Fairfield Museum, which opened in 2007. The museums’ Jacky Durrell Meeting Hall is equipped with a sound and projection system, while both the meeting hall and Engelman Reception Hall offer beautiful views of Fairfield’s Historic Town Green. The Museum accommodates 200 people for a reception, 80 people for seated presentations in the Durrell Meeting Hall or 72 for an intimate seated luncheon or dinner.
Fans of contemporary cultural history might consider booking an event at the Philip Johnson Glass House, a National Trust Historic Site, which aims to showcase modern architecture, landscape and art, while honoring the legacy of architect Philip Johnson and art curator David Whitney. The 47-acre facility can host up to 35 guests outside the Glass House or Painting Gallery, as well as dinner for up to 10 inside the Glass House. PageBreak
Mystic Country
Stretching across the eastern part of Connecticut, Mystic Country is an ideal place for groups to connect with the state’s natural beauty as well as its rich cultural traditions. The region’s close connection to the sea is in focus at Mystic Seaport, a maritime museum that was founded in 1929. Home to four National Historic Landmark vessels, the facility makes for interesting group outings. For private events with an aquatic theme, planners can check out the Mystic Aquarium, which allows groups of up to 350 for dinners and up to 700 for outdoor receptions, with the aquarium’s resident population of diverse marine life never far away.
Also near the coast is the town of Old Lyme, where the Florence Griswold Museum, set in a home that dates to 1899, tells the story of the woman who welcomed artists looking for a creative retreat. This National Historic Landmark, set on the banks of the Lieutenant River, now hosts groups of up to 150 for private parties and other events, accompanied by private tours.
Group-friendly accommodations with historic allure are available at the Spa at Norwich Inn, which sits on 42 acres in the woodlands of eastern Connecticut. A member of the Historic Hotels of America, the 99-room property was built in 1929 and features more than 6,500 square feet of meeting space (including three meeting rooms with wood-burning fireplaces), outdoor event space and a spa.
Litchfield Hills
Connecticut’s northwestern corner is dotted with attractive small towns and unique venues. At the Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden, birthplace of the Episcopal Church in the New World, groups of up to 45 can participate in customized tours of an 18th century farmhouse as well as its historic garden.
The historic town of New Milford, which was first settled by colonists in 1707, is home to a noteworthy group venue called Hunt Hill. Operated by a nonprofit organization in affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution, the attraction offers groups the chance to learn about music, art, cuisine, crafts and literature in a setting populated with historic farm buildings. The facility can accommodate up to 100 people in its art gallery, 40 in the museum and 50 in the cooking school.
Groups looking for rural charm and modern amenities in the Litchfield Hills region often check into hotels such as Interlaken, an 85-room country resort set on 30 acres. When not exploring the state’s rich history, guests at Interlaken can join team-building programs and make use of the on-site meeting space.
Also popular with small groups is Breadloaf Mountain Lodge, which has five newly built cottages and a historic, five-bedroom lodge that can be used for corporate retreats. The lodge’s recently renovated deck and gardens accommodate events for up to 80 people.
A freelance writer and editor based in New York City, Mark Chesnut counts Connecticut as one of his favorite weekend getaways. Among his most memorable experiences: having dinner near Yale University, at the place where the hamburger was supposedly invented.
