Last updated: April 9, 2021
Place
The Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House
Photo Credit: NPS Digital Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
Hartford, Connecticut
Significance:
Industrialist, Samuel Colt, and his successors pioneered the development of the revolver which had cultural, historical, and geographic impacts on the city of Hartford. Samuel was a paternalistic employer and the Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House replaced Charter Oak Hall as a recreational facility for the employees. The Parish House is a pristine example of Gothic Revival architecture built by renown architect Edward Tuckerman Potter. It serves as a testament to the love Elizabeth Hart Colt had to her and Samuel's son, Caldwell Hart Colt.
Designation:
The Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House is a contributing building to the Coltsville Historic District which is registered as a National Historic Landmark District.
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
2 listed
Cellular Signal, Scenic View/Photo Spot
The Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House was commissioned by Elizabeth Hart Jarvis Colt in memory of her, and Samuel's, only son who lived to adulthood, Caldwell Hart Colt.
The Parish House was designed by prominent architect, Edward Tuckerman Potter, who also designed the Mark Twain House. Potter came out of an eighteen-year retirement to design and build the Parish House as a memorial to Caldwell and to compliment his earlier work on the Church of the Good Shepherd. It was dedicated in September of 1896.
The Parish House was designed to reflect Caldwells' many passions including sailing and worldly explorations, while showcasing the love Elizabeth had for her son. Both the exterior and interior of the building incorporate many stone carvings that bring to mind sailing such as shells, coral and anchors. Windows resemble ship port-holes and the third floor of the building was designed to resemble a ship deck with a catwalk leading to a crow's nest; three cannons, from Caldwell’s ship the Dauntless, grace the balcony today.
One of the more prominent features on the second floor is an alcove memorial to Caldwell. This memorial features a painting of Caldwell on the Dauntless and four pure white Egyptian Onyx tablets. These tablets memorialize Caldwell and speak of Elizabeth’s love for her son. The ceiling is painted crystal blue as the sky would appear on a clear day out on the sea.
Perhaps the most symbolic and emotional tribute to Caldwell can be found here in the alcove as well. On the left side beneath Caldwell’s birth date carved into stone is the Dauntless heading out to sea with full sails. On the right beneath his death date is the Dauntless pulling into harbor with sails furled, signifying the end of the voyage, but with a lighthouse shining bright representing a peaceful rest in heaven.
The Parish House was built to serve as a community center and included a library, office space, fitness equipment, a bowling alley, a stage and auditorium. Today, while it no longer has athletic facilities, it is still a functioning community center managed by the Church of the Good Shepherd.
In 1975, the Parish House was added to the National Register of Historic Places and in 2008 it became a contributing building the Coltsville Historic District, which is a National Historic Landmark District. In 2014, the U.S. Congress authorized creation of the Coltsville National Historical Park to include the Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House.
Please note, that while the grounds are open to the public, the buildings are not. Tours can be requested by contacting the Church of the Good Shepherd. You can explore the interior of the Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House by checking out the 3D Virtual Tour of the location.
The Parish House was designed by prominent architect, Edward Tuckerman Potter, who also designed the Mark Twain House. Potter came out of an eighteen-year retirement to design and build the Parish House as a memorial to Caldwell and to compliment his earlier work on the Church of the Good Shepherd. It was dedicated in September of 1896.
The Parish House was designed to reflect Caldwells' many passions including sailing and worldly explorations, while showcasing the love Elizabeth had for her son. Both the exterior and interior of the building incorporate many stone carvings that bring to mind sailing such as shells, coral and anchors. Windows resemble ship port-holes and the third floor of the building was designed to resemble a ship deck with a catwalk leading to a crow's nest; three cannons, from Caldwell’s ship the Dauntless, grace the balcony today.
One of the more prominent features on the second floor is an alcove memorial to Caldwell. This memorial features a painting of Caldwell on the Dauntless and four pure white Egyptian Onyx tablets. These tablets memorialize Caldwell and speak of Elizabeth’s love for her son. The ceiling is painted crystal blue as the sky would appear on a clear day out on the sea.
Perhaps the most symbolic and emotional tribute to Caldwell can be found here in the alcove as well. On the left side beneath Caldwell’s birth date carved into stone is the Dauntless heading out to sea with full sails. On the right beneath his death date is the Dauntless pulling into harbor with sails furled, signifying the end of the voyage, but with a lighthouse shining bright representing a peaceful rest in heaven.
The Parish House was built to serve as a community center and included a library, office space, fitness equipment, a bowling alley, a stage and auditorium. Today, while it no longer has athletic facilities, it is still a functioning community center managed by the Church of the Good Shepherd.
In 1975, the Parish House was added to the National Register of Historic Places and in 2008 it became a contributing building the Coltsville Historic District, which is a National Historic Landmark District. In 2014, the U.S. Congress authorized creation of the Coltsville National Historical Park to include the Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House.
Please note, that while the grounds are open to the public, the buildings are not. Tours can be requested by contacting the Church of the Good Shepherd. You can explore the interior of the Caldwell Hart Colt Memorial Parish House by checking out the 3D Virtual Tour of the location.