This Historic Building sits on 9 acres of land which includes a 2 acre parking lot. The building is home to several Organizations, Businesses & offices and serves as a venue for community events Somewhere Coffee House, MCC Hartford, The Church Of The Good Shepherd's Parish House, Pizzpireta Dance Studio, among others. It also serves as a venue for theatrical Performances, Dinner Parties, and Soc
ials. Built in the High Victorian Gothic Style; the Building consists of 3 levels. Due to the unique terrain and Design of the building there is two different Ground floors. The Back Ground Floor features an entrance through the South Side (Back of the building) and consists of an spacious and bright Sanctuary, accentuated by 6ft windows and 12ft ceilings. It also features a library, an Office Suite and Full Kitchen. Next There is the Front Ground floor, accessible thru the North West corner of the building. It features vaulted ceilings, a lavish mess hall, an industrial kitchen, Spacious meeting rooms, Ornate Fire Places, Lavish Studies and offices, The top Level showcases a grand staircase -reminiscent of English castles- which leads to an sumptuous Grand Ballroom. boasting 20ft high ceilings, Gorgeous Stained Glass windows, Ornate granite columns, intricate decorative Nautical stone work. The roof is made of unique decorative tiles typical of grand Victorian buildings. The Cadwell Colt Memorial House was commissioned by Elizabeth Jarvis Colt in 1895 in honor of her Son Cadwell. Construction began one year after Cadwell's death and 28 years after the completion of the Church of the Good Shepherd which she also had commissioned to built. Elizabeth Colt was married to Samuel Colt. (an 18th Century Industrial Tycoon) She was widowed and had lost all her 5 children, 4 of which never survived infancy. Cold wanted an impressive memorial as a lasting legacy and tribute to her second child and only son to live to adulthood, and so she commissioned the Structure which was designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter, whom she persuaded out of retirement to design and build the magnificent memorial. Caldwell Hart Colt was the second son of Samuel Colt and Elizabeth Jarvis Colt. He never married, and was an ardent yachtsman and Sailor. He died at sea at the age of 35 years old. There are conflicting reports one stating he died drowned at sea, while others say he died of a heart attack. He dedicated his life to boating and sailing, He raced across the Atlantic, and would sail to Florida for the winters. He became "commodore" of a prestigious Yacht Club. Mr. Tuckerman's design's as a tribute to Cadwell feature a prominent nautical theme and the decorative features of his memorial building show case Anchors, boat Bows, Masts, and Ship's wheels all carved into brownstone, Sandstone and granite. The building's High Victorian Gothic style was becoming less popular when it was built giving way to other up and coming styles like Classical Revival & Prairie Style by Frank Lloyd Wright, However it has remained as an Architectural beacon of the High Victorian Gothic style. Boasting an Impressive Rich Facade, Numerous Decorative Chimneys, unique Stained glass windows. Intricate Stone work. It's signature Design of Brown stone and Sand Stone alternating accents is unparalleled. It is listed in the national Register of Historic Places. It stands as cultural & architectural patrimony of The state of Connecticut, and the City of Hartford, as well as a priceless treasure and enduring Icon of the "Gilded Age" It is also note worthy that it is also a testament to the lasting Legacy of Mrs Elizabeth Jarvis Colt. Born Elizabeth Hart Jarvis daughter of an Episcopal minister and a socialite Mother, she married Samuel Colt in 1856 and would become his widow after only 8 years of marriage in 1862. at that time she had two young children and was pregnant with another. In the year following her husband’s death she would lose both her fourth and fifth children, Rather than withdraw from society and hide behind her wealth, Colt used both her position and wealth to play a leading role in Connecticut and in the nation, She was involved in religious, social, art, and charitable organizations. Known affectionately as “The First Lady of Hartford She contributed greatly at advancing women's rights and equality. She Organized Connecticut’s first Women's Suffragist Convention in 1869. She broke many glass ceilings as she became one of the wealthiest women in the US & the world. She was the first woman patron of an American municipal museum. After Donating 600 pieces of art and $50,000 the Wadsworth Atheneum became the 1st American municipal museum having a wing to bear the name of a woman patron. Her generosity endures to this day. in buildings such as The Church of the Good Shepherd, The Cadwell Colt Memorial House, She bequeathed the grounds of the Colt estate to the city of Hartford for use as a park (now Colt Park) and designated that her house (Armsmear) itself be used as a home for female dependents of Episcopal clergy, She died in Hartford in 1905. She is buried along with her husband and children in Hartford’s historic Cedar Hill Cemetery.
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