Larson, Blumenthal, Bronin Announce Agreement to Donate Property at Coltsville National Historical Park

Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), Senators Richard Blumenthal, and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, alongside former Senator Joe Lieberman, and National Park Service leaders, announced a new general agreement and a clear path forward to donate property for Coltsville National Historical Park. 

“The effort to establish Coltsville as a National Historical Park has brought together countless community leaders, organizations, and businesses who have worked tirelessly to bring this dream to fruition over the last two decades,” said Larson. “The Forge and Foundry brownstones have been an iconic landmark since Samuel Colt founded his company in 1855, cementing Hartford as one of the birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution. The general agreement and path forward we announced today is the last major milestone before the official establishment of the park, which will bolster the economic growth at the Colt Complex and ensure visitors can appreciate and learn about the legacy of Coltsville for decades to come.” 

“This profoundly important preservation project will make history tangible for generations to come,” said Blumenthal “The Forge and Foundry brownstones are a historic centerpiece in a great Connecticut story. Donating these landmarks will ensure finally that the Coltsville National Historic Park is formally created. I’ve been proud to work in this effort with Congressman John Larson and years ago with Senator Joe Lieberman, whose leadership was critical.” 

"This agreement takes us another big step closer to the formal establishment of Coltsville National Historical Park, celebrating Hartford's central place in America's industrial history," said Mayor Bronin.  "The Forge and Foundry brownstones are beautiful and significant buildings, and it’s appropriate that they will be assets of the National Historic Park.  I'm grateful to our many partners and our entire federal delegation, but especially to Congressman Larson, whose many years of dedicated advocacy made this park possible.” 

“Today, we mark a significant milestone with the signing of a general agreement and identifying the path forward that solidifies our commitment to the establishment of the park and beyond,” said Michael Reynolds, National Park Service Deputy Director, External Affairs. “We are thrilled to celebrate the successful partnership effort that has enabled us to overcome the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities of public private partnerships and achieve our shared goals. We look forward to continuing this journey together and interpreting the Colt legacy and Hartford’s innovative role in the development of the American system of manufacturing." 

“Rehabilitating the historic Colt Armories has been an honor for Colt Gateway,” said Larry Dooley of Colt Gateway. “Over the years, our development has delivered much needed housing, businesses, and schools to our neighborhood. While the adaptive reuse of Colt is now part of its history, Colt’s unique identity has always been grander and more comprehensive than we, as real estate developers, can accurately convey. This is why our agreement with the National Park Service is so important to our community, once our donation is complete, the story of Sam and Elizabeth Colt will be shared and preserved by the experts at the National Park Service. The establishment of the Coltsville National Historical Park means the story of Sam and Elizabeth Colt will never be forgotten, so we want to welcome and thank our future neighbors at the National Park Service.”   

“Chevron is proud of our decades-long role in the historic preservation and development of the Colt Gateway campus in downtown Hartford,” said Al Williams, Chevron’s VP of Corporate Affairs. We are grateful for the leadership and dedication of Representative John Larson, as well as the partnership with National Park Service and the National Park Trust and other stakeholders who have been – and will continue to be – good stewards of Coltsville’s historic legacy.”  

“National Park Trust is pleased that we were able to respond to the urgent needs of the National Park Service to help establish Coltsville National Historical Park which will preserve the epochal story of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt and their important role in the American Industrial Revolution, as well as Elizabeth’s legacy as a trailblazing female entrepreneur.” said Grace Lee, National Park Trust Executive Director. She also noted “appreciation for the collaborative efforts of Congressman John Larson, NPS Deputy Director Mike Reynolds, NPS Superintendent Kelly Fellner, and Chevron.”  

“Our national parks tell some of our most complex stories of people and places of our past and can often times, help inform our future,” said Kristen Sykes, Northeast Regional Director for the National Parks Conservation Association. “Coltsville National Historical Park holds more than 250 years of our shared American history, going back to the founding of our nation. It offers an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of one of our first industrial communities and for visitors to experience what it might have been like to live and work in the early years of America. We are grateful for Congressman Larson’s leadership and years-long commitment to create a national park site here, and to Senators Murphy, Blumenthal, the National Park Service and many local partners for their collaboration and dedication to seeing this through to national park status.” 

“It’s wonderful that we’ve gotten here and things appear to be moving along again, and for that I am thrilled,” said Lynn Ferrari, President of the Coltsville Heritage Partnership.

The 1850s Forge and Foundry brownstone buildings at Hartford’s Colt Gateway Complex, the oldest standing buildings in the Colt complex, were part of the original Colt’s Manufacturing Company and will serve as the park’s visitor center. The future acquisition of the brownstone buildings is the final major condition necessary to formally establish Coltsville National Historical Park. 

In 2014, Rep. Larson’s Coltsville National Historical Park Act was signed into law by President Obama, authorizing Coltsville as a unit of the National Park System. Larson’s legislation to require an agreement to donate space in the Colt Armory Complex for the visitor center became law in 2018, paving the way for today’s announcement. Additionally, Larson, Blumenthal, Murphy, and Bronin announced $1 million in new federal funding earlier this year to restore and integrate Colt Gardener’s Cottage and Carriage House into the park.