Colt Legacy Lives On
Connecticut Creatives Seed Landscape
By Chris Brunson
Colt Park is the Hartford land walked on and loved by Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, the world famous gun maker and his wife.
Sam Colt died prematurely at 47. Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt was a quietly determined force of nature, a philanthropist, business owner, arts patron and social activist ahead of her time. She carried on her soul mate’s legacy in business, innovations and in the community - until her own death in 1905 (45 years after her husband).
Elizabeth Colt gave the land that is now called Colt Park to Hartford. The original Colt estate encompassed 105 acres sloping down to the factory and river and the gardens were world-renowned, carefully planned, constantly groomed and improved.
Now grassy lawn, the land once burst forth as flourishing gardens with horticultural specimens from around the globe. Where once peacocks strutted and a deer park stood for the enjoyment of the Colt family the land is now quiet. Yet the idea of that garden legacy is being nurtured back into reality.
The sprouts of a botanical garden project are inside the Connecticut Creative store, located at 25 Stonington Street, right around the corner from Armsmear, the former Colt mansion (now a private facility) that fronts Wethersfield Avenue. The general store featuring Connecticut artisans and products is the seedbed to grow the project and establish a presence on the grounds. All net proceeds from the store go to support the effort to build the Hartford Botanical Garden, on the proposed 18-acre site in Colt Park.
Step inside to a well designed shop adorned with colorful antique signs to enhance the array of goods for sale. Wander through the rooms to find a perfect gift or take home such beauties as wood burl bowls, etchings, photography, prints, heathery scarfs, woven goods, wool yarn, felted baskets, along edibles such as maple syrup, straws of honey, barbecue sauces, seasonings or jams. And more. One treat is the Hosmer Mountain Sodas in classic flavors such as cream soda or birch beer or other more trendy types - all in glass bottles.
Pick up information about the Connecticut Wine Trail, or peruse notecards, soaps, lavender by the bunch or aromatic bagful to take home and create your own sachet pillow (heavenly). Gift baskets can be custom-made or shipped.
Books by local authors are offered up; one tells the first-hand story of picking tobacco in Connecticut.
Looking for a Charter Oak theme for a gift? A popular item is a tile-like bread warmer that depicts a striking image of the famous old oak. Uniquely Connecticut, there is no other tree like this one that once stood overlooking the Connecticut River for more than 800 years.
While at the store, take the time to look outside at the sweeping views of the Colt Park grounds which include original structures that still stand. Imagine the daily bustle as the Colts grew their gunmaking factory on the river along with the many ancillary businesses, the gardens, the workers, the family.
Three structures still standing that were part of the original Colt estate: the cook’s house; a carriage barn that is to be developed as a backdrop for weddings and other celebration; an ice house.
The bright gleaming blue onion Colt dome is a beacon on the horizon looking towards the Connecticut River.
The garden location includes 18 acres on the west side of Colt Park, between Stonington and Wawarme streets.
Growing Forward
Ever taste a sun-ripened tomato from a plant you grew and nurtured? That experience (Connecticut grown, Connecticut made) will be a the heart of the gardens - the hands-on sharing of growing and learning how effort bring forth rewards.
“We are surrounded by schools in this community,” said Lisa Musumeci, president of the Hartford Botanical Project board of directors.
Musumeci regularly visits neighborhood schools to speak about the rewards of entrepreneurship and what happens when ideas are brought into reality - and gives concrete examples of artisans who create things to sell at the store - food, beautiful art, handmade goods - all using their ideas, hands, hearts. She tells them of the work being done at Colt Park and the concept of the gardens coming back to life.
“Gardens would offer a great resource for Hartford adults and students in our community,” she said.
“Programs would include the area schools and engage them with urban ecology, conservation, and related programs. This reflects on when Samuel Colt brought back plants to the city from all over the world. He was an avid horticulturalist.”
Members of the committee and Musumeci have worked out a three- to five-year development plan.The projected cost is estimated at about $10 million, and project members are seeking approval from the city for a long term lease for the site.
Musumeci also meets with committees and politicians and architects to implement the next stage of the planning for the botanical gardens. She also keeps current with the work that continues in the nearby Coltsville complex under the famous blue dome.
“We recognize that we are all pieces of the big puzzle,” she said.
Resources:
For information call Hartford Botanical Garden/The Connecticut Creative Store at (860) 297-0112. Parking for the store and office is ample and is located only a few steps away from the 1940s-era brick house (once home to the park caretaker) and is the Hartford Botanical Garden Committee office. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.; call ahead to inquire about specific items.
Artists interested in placing their work at the store must call for criteria and schedule an appointment.
