by Rick Blaine

Created on: October 23, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Nearly every state has a museum in its capitol city that honors the history and prominent citizens of the state. Connecticut is no exception. While the Museum of Connecticut History in Hartford has much of what you'd expect from a state museum - portraits of the governors, historic photographs, military flags - it also has several of the more unique collections found in any state museum.

There are a number of original documents on display at the Museum of Connecticut History that stand out to history buffs. There are Connecticut's original copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the US Constitution. But in an exhibit entitled "Liberties and Legends" visitors can also view the Royal Charter of 1662, granted by King Charles II. It was this document that King James II tried to have seized a quarter century later in an effort to revoke the charter. Connecticut colonists actually hid it inside a large oak tree in Hartford in an effort to preserve their rights. The Charter Oak, as the tree became known, remained an enduring symbol of the state's independence. It was depicted on the back of the Connecticut commemorative quarters issued by the US Mint in 1999.

Those Connecticut quarters are commonplace, especially compared to the rare coins included in the Mitchelson Collection on display at the Museum of Connecticut History. James Mitchelson was a prolific numismatist, or coin collector. His vast collection of rare coins and currency - widely considered to include the largest and best collection of American coins in the world - is on display at the museum. Mitchelson was a resident of Tariffville, a Hartford suburb, who gave his collection to the state of Connecticut in 1911. Over 10,000 pieces were in the collection at the time, and that number has grown substantially over the years.

Inventors have played a significant role in Connecticut history, and the museum honors many of them - from Eli Whitney and his cotton gin to David Mullaney and his Wiffle ball. But no inventor played a critical a role in the industrial and economic development of the state of Connecticut as Samuel Colt.

Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of some of the most famous guns in history, made Connecticut the epicenter of firearms production in the United States for over 100 years. Colt didn't invent the revolver, but his advances in assembly line manufacturing and marketing made it the most popular gun in the world. The firearms he designed and manufactured for the Texas Rangers made Colt a fortune, and made the Colt revolver the must-have possession of virtually every man in the American west.

The Colt Armory, along the Connecticut River in Hartford, turned out thousands of revolvers and other firearms. More than a half century ago, the state acquired the Colt factory collection - including a vast collection of handguns, Gattling guns, shotguns and even some automatic weapons. Today, this unique assemblage of vintage firearms is on display at the Museum of Connecticut History. Even the original "Rampant Colt" statue which had stood outside the Hartford Colt factory and became the recognizable symbol of the company, is on display at the museum.

The Museum of Connecticut History is located 231 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, in the former Connecticut Supreme Court building across the street from the state Capitol building. It is open Monday through Saturday year round. Admission is free.

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