The Colt Gardener's Cottage and Colt Carriage House

The Gardener's Cottage

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 Gardener's Cottage and Carriage House were an integral part of his industrial village.

Designation:

The Colt Gardener's House and Colt Carriage House are contributing buildings to the Coltsville Historic District which is registered as a National Historic Landmark District.

OPEN TO PUBLIC:

No

Amenities

2 listed

Cellular Signal, Scenic View/Photo Spot

Just down the hill from the Colt family home, nestled under trees, sits the Gardener’s Cottage and the Carriage House. 

Both built around 1860 along Shamrock Ave, now the walking path in Colt Park, they have undergone numerous changes over the years. 

From Armsmear, the family home, overlooking the Colt Estate, numerous gardens and greenhouses were scattered about. Samuel was fond of flowers and Elizabeth reported that there was over a mile of greenhouses on the property. Aside from flowers, the greenhouses had traditional crops such as cotton, rice, and numerous vegetables. Other fruits grown throughout the year included bananas, figs, nectarines, and peaches. 

The gardener lived in a small red brick house tucked behind the stable and near the deer park. The building has undergone structural changes with additions and demolitions over the years.

The Carriage House, a red brick building resembling a garage, is located near the pools. Constructed of brick and wood, with a copula, the Colt’s horses were stabled in the wooden shed. With simple arched windows and a large stone foundation with a brick building set on top, the Carriage House was easily accessible to the Colts.

In 2008, the Gardener’s Cottage and Carriage House were noted as contributing buildings to the Coltsville Historic District which is registered as a National Historic Landmark District. In 2014, the United States Congress authorized creation of the Coltsville National Historical Park.  

The buildings are not open to the public. You many walk around them, but be respectful of park property.