Celebrate CT's Defiance & Declaration of Independence at Historic Old State House
(Hartford, CT - June 10, 2026) -- Where better to celebrate America’s 250th than Connecticut’s Old State House, than the spot where Connecticut’s patriots conspired, debated, and dared to break with a crown? Step inside the historic courtroom on Wednesday, July 1 at 5:00 p.m. for “A Night at the Tavern” to see the historic court room transformed into a colonial tavern alive with the spirit of 1776. Join the community for an evening of history, oration and colonial “musick” marking America’s 250th birthday! Enjoy light tavern fare and a cash bar. Connecticut’s Old State House is located at 800 Main Street, Hartford. This event free and open to the public. Those planning to attend are asked to submit an RSVP at https://bit.ly/Conn1776 or email barbara.dell@ctdemocracycenter.org.
The theme for the evening is “Defiance & Declaration: Connecticut 1776.” Enjoy a conversation with Historian Dr. Matthew Warshauer of Central Connecticut State University as he traces Connecticut’s bold march to independence: from Common Sense and the firebrand Connecticut Courant, to the moment Governor Trumbull called an emergency Assembly on June 14, 1776 and Connecticut declared itself free.
Re-enactor Dayne Rugh will step into the boots of Jonathan Trumbull, giving voice to Connecticut’s own Proclamation of Independence, and musician Richard Franklin Donohue will perform a fiery repertoire of revolutionary-era “musick,” setting the unmistakable mood of a colony on the edge of history.
Parking at State House Square Parking Garage, located at 75 Market Street, costs a maximum of $10 with validation from Connecticut’s Old State House. Metered street parking is available. Free on-street parking is available after 6 pm and on weekends. Please follow posted parking instructions.
In honor of America’s 250th, Connecticut's Old State House is participate in the National Flag Foundations' Light to Unite from July 1 to July 5. During this time the historic landmark will be lit up in red white and blue and fly the nations flag on the building grounds.
About Connecticut’s Old State House
Located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as one of Connecticut’s state capitols from 1796 to 1878 and Hartford City Hall from 1878-1915. Beautifully restored and preserved, this museum and civic space was declared one of the first National Historic Landmarks in 1960 and now operates under a public/private partnership between the Connecticut General Assembly and The Connecticut Democracy Center. Connecticut Old State House is recognized for statewide educational programming including Connecticut History Day, We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Project Citizen, and Connecticut’s Kid Governor®.