Postcard History

Hartford, Connecticut, is the capital of the “Nutmeg State.” It is a delightful place to visit, especially when you center your vacation around incredible sites like the state capitol building and historic Bushnell Park.  

Bushnell Park is among the earliest publicly funded parks in America; only the Boston Common is older. The idea that generated Bushnell Park was that of Reverend Horace Bushnell. In the mid-1850s at a time when the need for open public spaces was just starting to be recognized, about 50 acres was set aside as “green space,” and it has been visited by over one million people each year for the last 175 years.

The last card in the Tuck Series, Hartford, Connecticut is an ariel view of the city that shows the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial from 1886 in the right-of-center foreground. The brick construction is common in the area. For many generations the Hartford Brick Company was located at 168 Brickyard Road (the site is identified with a historical marker) in Farmington (part of the Greater Hartford area). They supplied bricks to new construction in central Connecticut through the early 1900s.

There are two very special private homes to visit in Hartford. The Stowe House is on Forest Street and Mark Twain’s residence is just around the corner. Both historic sites helped root two of America’s most admired writers.

Built in 1871, the Stowe house served as the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the renowned author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel that focused the anti-slavery sentiment in the United States. Stowe, who moved to the house with her family, lived there until her death in 1896.

The residence is notable for its distinctive architecture, featuring elements of the Italianate style, characterized by its broad eaves and decorative brackets. The Stowe House was not just a family home; it also became a space for social activism and intellectual discussion, reflecting Stowe’s commitment to the abolitionist movement.

In 1968, the house was designated a National Historic Landmark and has since been preserved as a museum that celebrates Stowe’s life and legacy.

Like the Stowe house, visitors to Mark Twain’s home can explore the rooms where he created timeless characters like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. The home helps scholars of all ages gain a clearer understanding of “The Father of American Literature.”

Twain resided in Hartford from 1874 to 1891. His home is a stunning Gothic Revival mansion situated at 351 Farmington Avenue. The house became a creative sanctuary for Twain and is remarkable not only for its architectural beauty but also for its expansive grounds and unique features, such as a grand library and a very odd, but beautiful conservatory. Today, the Mark Twain House & Museum is a shrine where Twain’s legacy is celebrated.

If you have traveled extensively in New England you have come to learn that nearly every village, town, or city has a Main Street, if not they have a High Street. Hartford is no exception.

Main Street in Hartford saw the first of many things; the city’s founders met on Main Street to discuss civic and business affairs around 1636. They built the Old State House in 1796 on Main Street. The first department store in Connecticut was built on Main Street. Over the years nearly every state politician has given a speech on Main Street. The street features historic architecture, and various churches and shops that reflect Hartford’s evolution. Over the years, it has witnessed dozens of events tied to the insurance industry. Today, companies that once contributed to Hartford’s reputation as the “Insurance Capital of the World” still have headquarter-offices in Hartford – some of them are on Main Street.

Bucknell is not the only park in Hartford. There is Keney Park on Woodland Street.

Keney Park, located on Woodland Street in Hartford, is a sprawling urban oasis that covers more than 700 acres. It features lush landscapes, wooded areas, and scenic walking trails, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. There are recreational facilities for sports teams, playgrounds for the tykes, picnic areas for families, and quiet spaces for individuals to enjoy nature. The Keney Park Golf Course adds cultural significance; when it opened to the public in October 1927 the green fee was 50 cents.

One of Hartford’s most beautiful sites is the Old Stone Bridge in Elizabeth Park.

Elizabeth Park is a landmark known for its beauty and historical significance, opened to the public in 1897. It was established after a former Connecticut governor, Charles Pond, donated his estate to the city to be named in memory of his wife, Elizabeth. The park’s most famous feature is its rose garden, which was created in 1904 by Theodore Wirth.

The rose garden is a favorite Connecticut site for outdoor weddings. A newspaper photographer once advertised that if you were getting married in Hartford and you arranged to do so in Elizabeth Park, you and your bride could get a free wedding photo taken on the Old Stone Bridge. No records were found concerning the success of the advertisement.