Larson, Blumenthal, Murphy, and Bronin Announce $1 Million to Restore Colt Gardener’s Cottage and Carriage House at Coltsville National Historical Park

Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, and Mayor Luke Bronin announced $1 million in new federal funding to restore the Colt Gardener’s Cottage and Carriage House and integrate the buildings into the Coltsville National Historical Park. 

“After authorizing Coltsville as a unit of the National Park System, this funding to restore historic structures for public use moves us one step closer to realizing the vision for Coltsville National Historical Park,” said Larson. “I want to thank Mayor Bronin, Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, and all of the leaders at the federal, state, and local levels who have been committed to preserving the legacy of American innovation and manufacturing at Coltsville for generations to come.” 

“The Coltsville complex is a historic treasure, enshrining Colt's powerful role in advancing the industrial revolution and manufacturing in Connecticut and nationwide. Restoring the Gardener’s Cottage and Carriage House will preserve a key piece of history in Hartford and I am thrilled to have fought alongside Rep. Larson and Sen. Murphy to deliver these funds to Connecticut,” said Blumenthal. 

“Coltsville is the birthplace of Connecticut manufacturing, and I was proud to fight alongside Congressman Larson and Senator Blumenthal to designate the complex as a National Historical Park. This $1 million federal grant will ensure the Gardener’s Cottage and Carriage House are restored and preserved for generations of visitors to learn about the storied legacy of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt,” said Murphy. 

"The Gardener's Cottage and Carriage House at Colt Park are two historic buildings that can and should be a part of the Coltsville National Historical Park, and this funding will go a long way to preserving those buildings for the future," said Bronin. "Congressman Larson led the effort to secure the designation of the Coltsville National Historical Park, and now thanks to his leadership once again, we'll be able to begin stabilizing two beautiful, historic properties inside that park that have fallen into terrible disrepair over many years." 

“We are grateful for the funding secured by Congressman Larson and the Connecticut Congressional Delegation to rehabilitate the Colt Gardner’s Cottage and Carriage House,” said Kelly Fellner, Superintendent of Coltsville National Historical Park. “Both buildings are listed as contributing structures to the 2008 Coltsville National Historic Landmark District, are part of Coltsville National Historical Park and have been on the Hartford Preservation Alliances' Endangered Buildings list for years.” 

“The Coltsville Heritage Partnership (CHP) is thrilled that funds have become available to start renovations of these critical components of the Coltsville Historical National Park,” said Lynn Ferrari, Chair of the Coltsville Heritage Partnership. “We are proud to be involved in the preservation and incredibly thankful to Congressman Larson for pressing for these funds to be available. We know that the City will work diligently to bring the Gardener's Cottage and the Carriage House to a state that the National Park Service and the entire City of Hartford will enjoy for years to come.” 

“The Colt Park Foundation has nothing but happy thoughts about starting down the path of restoration for these historic buildings,” said Donna Swarr, Chair of the Colt Park Foundation. “Their stories are unique and meaningful to the Coltsville narrative. Once again, the Colt Park Foundation is grateful for Congressman Larson's support of Colt Park.”  

In 2014, Rep. Larson’s Coltsville National Historical Park Act was signed into law by President Obama, officially designating Coltsville as a unit of the National Park System. Located down the hill from the Colt Family home, the Gardener’s Cottage and Carriage House were identified as contributing buildings to the Coltsville Historic District in 2008. Last year, Larson’s Community Project Funding request for $1 million to restore the structures for public use was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Biden. 

Coltsville was the home of Samuel Colt’s industrial enterprise, the Colt Firearms Company, where Colt manufactured his iconic revolver that not only transformed the firearm industry but was a major contributor to the industrial revolution by pioneering the use of interchangeable parts and precision manufacturing. The 260-acre site contained the armories where manufacturing took place, worker housing, the home of Samuel & Elizabeth Colt, and community amenities such as a church, a public park, botanical gardens, a social hall, a beer garden, and a library.