The Old State House, now operated by the Connecticut General Assembly, offers the following events and activities over the next five Saturdays:
September 12: Joseph Steward, proprietor of Steward's Hartford Museum, returns to the Old State House at 1 p.m. to celebrate his 18th-century museum with an unveiling of two magnificent new curiosities. Afterward, young people can take part in hands-on history activities in the Holcombe Education Center. Steward will continue to lead tours of his museum until 4 p.m.
September 19: The Old State House will celebrate Constitution Day with activities, quizzes, and tours related to our country's guiding document.
September 26: Connecticut suffragette Francis Ellen Burr will debate an opponent on whether women should get the vote. You get to participate in this program, which begins at 1 p.m. on the floor of the House of Representatives. Miss Burr will visit informally with guests until 4 p.m.
October 3: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Al Franken, and Ronald Reagan have all crossed the line from entertainment to politics, but circus man P.T. Barnum did it many years before them, when he traveled to the Old State House to serve as Fairfield's state representative. He'll speak at 1 p.m. on the floor of the House and visit informally with guests until 4 p.m. You'll hear a life story that not only included bringing us the Greatest Show on Earth but also working for African-American emancipation and suffrage.
October 10: Years ago, one of the most popular exhibits at the Old State House was a replica made of Lego bricks. That replica will return with a celebration featuring hands-on activities and a chance for visitors to craft their own Lego creations. The "unveiling" will take place at 1 p.m., but there'll be activities throughout the day.
