Dodd, Lieberman, Larson Announce Legislation to Designate Coltsville as a National Park

For Immediate Release: April 30, 2010

Contact:Paul Mounds (Larson): 860-278-8888

Dodd, Lieberman, Larson Announce Legislation to Designate Coltsville as a National Park

Hartford, CT-Today, U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01), U.S. Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced that they have introduced legislation to designate Coltsville as a National Park. Establishing a national park at Coltsville will boost the local economy by creating jobs and increasing tourism in Hartford and the region. Outside of Colt's East Armory and underneath Colt's symbolic blue dome, Congressman Larson and Senator Lieberman held a press conference to officially announce the new legislation.

"The people of Connecticut know the rich history of Coltsville and the significant contributions the Colt family made to our state and nation," said Senator Dodd. "That story should be shared with all Americans and enjoyed by future generations.  That is why I am committed to working with Congressman Larson, who is leading this effort in the House of Representatives, and Senator Lieberman to fulfill our shared goal of establishing Coltsville as a National Historic Park."

Senator Lieberman said, "I am committed to doing all that I can to advance Coltsville's status as a National Historical Park because I believe that in honoring Coltsville we honor a vital era in American history in which our nation emerged as the world's leader in innovation and technology. This historic district is an American treasure that will inspire us and many generations to come."

"I am proud to announce we are closing in on our goal of establishing Coltsville as a National Park and honoring the legacies of Colt Firearms and the Colt Family. Through the leadership of Sam and Elizabeth Colt, Colt Firearms spurred the Industrial Revolution and influenced many of our nation's great leaders," said Congressman Larson. "This legislation is a testament to the many years of hard work and dedication from the numerous federal, state, and local organizations committed to the project. It's been a long, but fulfilling journey to get to this moment. However, we have much work left to do to truly make this vision for Coltsville a reality. "

The Coltsville Historic District is a 260-acre site which includes Samuel and Elizabeth Colt's house "Armsmear", the Colt armory's 10 historic industrial buildings, the Church of the Good Shepherd and Parish House, Colt Park, and several other structures associated with the history of the company and the Colt family.

The manufacturing innovations that were achieved at Colt spawned some of the most successful businesses in the nation including Pratt & Whitney and the Ford Motor Company. The first American company to have offices abroad, Colt established the United States as a world leader in business.

In 2003, Dodd, Lieberman, and Larson successfully passed the Coltsville Study Act into law, requiring the National Park Service to make recommendations about adding Coltsville to the National Park system. Overall, the study concluded that Coltsville has "national significance" and was "suitable for inclusion in the National Park System".  In 2008, the National Park Service designated Coltsville as a National Historic Landmark.

The "Coltsville National Historical Park Act" states the following:

• The Secretary of the Interior the authority shall establish the Coltsville Historic District in Hartford as a National Historical Park.

• The City of Hartford and individual property owners within the Coltsville Historic District donate the land to the National Park Service in order to establish the Coltsville National Historical Park and all that makes a Park a rewarding visitor's experience, from a visitor's station to an area for artifacts and historical collections to be displayed.

• The National Park Service will provide matching grants to property owners in the Coltsville Historic District to help restore and maintain these important historic properties for future generations.

• The Coltsville National Historical Park Advisory Commission, consisting of 11 members of the local community, will work with the National Park Service to develop and implement a management plan for the Park. The Advisory Commission will ensure that the ideas, interests and concerns of the local community are heard.

Click here for the full bill text of the "Coltsville National Historical Park Act".

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