Underneath that blue dome lies the east armory of a factory once owned by a man who changed American history, the innovator of the revolver, Samuel Colt. Sprawling around the crumbling red brickwork of the old Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, once the largest private armory in the world, are the remnants of Coltsville, the utopian village he built for his workers.

A model of 19th century industrial paternalism, Coltsville included a church, a social hall for dances and lectures, workers’ housing, a giant landscaped park home to deer and peacocks, sculpted botanical gardens, and thousands of feet of greenhouses filled with tropical fruit and flowers. Samuel Colt felt such responsibility for the welfare of his workers outside the factory that he went so far as to build Potsdam Village, to replicate the feel of the German village from which he imported his skilled craftsmen to work in his willow ware factory.

The National Park Service began having on-site presence in 2015, with workshops and tours, including up into the Blue Onion Dome which affords magnificent views of downtown Hartford, the Connecticut River and Colt Park, formerly the back yard of Armsmear, Samuel & Elizabeth Colt’s mansion. By 2016, an NPS ranger had taken up residence in the South Armory and was giving walking tours of Coltsville.

The old South, East and North armories are under renovation and the two 1855 brownstone buildings, the oldest structures on site, will become the National Park Service Visitor Center. The armories themselves have been or are being renovated into apartments, offices and education facilities.

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Compare rooms and suites by Red Roof Inn in Sheldon-Charter Oak with rates, reviews, and availability. Most hotels are fully refundable.

Exterior

"Great stay. "

SAR 368 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Jul - 18 Jul

Lobby

"Would be nice if there was a coffee maker but other than that it was a pleasant stay."

SAR 328 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Jul - 18 Jul

Exterior

"The employees were very friendly and accomodating. We only stayed 1 night with our 2 dogs, room was huge and the pet area was small but very well taken care of. "

SAR 329 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Jul - 21 Jul

Exterior

"The hotel was nice, and the staff was friendly."

SAR 318 total

includes taxes & fees

23 Jul - 24 Jul

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