Sheldon-Charter Oak

Hartford

Underneath that blue dome lies the east armory of a factory once owned by a man who changed American history, the innovator of the revolver, Samuel Colt. Sprawling around the crumbling red brickwork of the old Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, once the largest private armory in the world, are the remnants of Coltsville, the utopian village he built for his workers. A model of 19th century industrial paternalism, Coltsville included a church, a social hall for dances and lectures, workers’ housing, a giant landscaped park home to deer and peacocks, sculpted botanical gardens, and thousands of feet of greenhouses filled with tropical fruit and flowers. Samuel Colt felt such responsibility for the welfare of his workers outside the factory that he went so far as to build Potsdam Village, to replicate the feel of the German village from which he imported his skilled craftsmen to work in his willow ware factory. The National Park Service began having on-site presence in 2015, with workshops and tours, including up into the Blue Onion Dome which affords magnificent views of downtown Hartford, the Connecticut River and Colt Park, formerly the back yard of Armsmear, Samuel & Elizabeth Colt’s mansion. By 2016, an NPS ranger had taken up residence in the South Armory and was giving walking tours of Coltsville. The old South, East and North armories are under renovation and the two 1855 brownstone buildings, the oldest structures on site, will become the National Park Service Visitor Center. The armories themselves have been or are being renovated into apartments, offices and education facilities.
Underneath that blue dome lies the east armory of a factory once owned by a man who changed American history, the innovator of the revolver, Samuel Colt. Sprawling around the crumbling red brickwork of the old Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, once the largest private armory in the world, are the remnants of Coltsville, the utopian village he built for his workers. A model of 19th century industrial paternalism, Coltsville included a church, a social hall for dances and lectures, workers’ housing, a giant landscaped park home to deer and peacocks, sculpted botanical gardens, and thousands of feet of greenhouses filled with tropical fruit and flowers. Samuel Colt felt such responsibility for the welfare of his workers outside the factory that he went so far as to build Potsdam Village, to replicate the feel of the German village from which he imported his skilled craftsmen to work in his willow ware factory. The National Park Service began having on-site presence in 2015, with workshops and tours, including up into the Blue Onion Dome which affords magnificent views of downtown Hartford, the Connecticut River and Colt Park, formerly the back yard of Armsmear, Samuel & Elizabeth Colt’s mansion. By 2016, an NPS ranger had taken up residence in the South Armory and was giving walking tours of Coltsville. The old South, East and North armories are under renovation and the two 1855 brownstone buildings, the oldest structures on site, will become the National Park Service Visitor Center. The armories themselves have been or are being renovated into apartments, offices and education facilities.

Popular places to visit

Trinity Church on the Green in New Haven - Connecticut, United States

Trinity College

Explore the campus of Trinity College, during your travels in Hartford. Experience the area's entertainment choices and acclaimed theater scene.

Trinity College
Mark Twain House showing heritage architecture and a house

Mark Twain House & Museum

Walk in Mark Twain’s footsteps at the author’s beloved Hartford home. The museum next door will complete your Twain education.

Mark Twain House & Museum
Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts featuring interior views

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts

While seeing a play or concert in Hartford’s historic venue, look up to admire one of the largest ceiling murals in the United States.

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Connecticut Science Center featuring interior views as well as children

Connecticut Science Center

Leave your textbooks at home and learn about science by playing, exploring and inventing your way through this interactive science center in Hartford.

Connecticut Science Center
Bushnell Park showing heritage architecture, chateau or palace and a garden

Bushnell Park

Relax near the pond or take a ride on the antique carousel at one of America’s oldest publicly funded parks, located in the heart of Hartford.

Bushnell Park
The Wadsworth Atheneum is an art museum located in Hartford, Connecticut.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

You can browse the exhibits at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, a museum with a story of its own, during your travels to Hartford. Experience the area's great live music and entertainment choices.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art

Top hotels in Sheldon-Charter Oak

The Capitol Hotel

The Capitol Hotel

3 out of 5
440 Asylum St Hartford CT
The price is P5,172 per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
P5,172
P5,948 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hartford. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,164 reviews)
Glad

Reviewed on Jan 31, 2026

The Capitol Hotel
Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG

Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG

2.5 out of 5
149 Ella Grasso Turnpike Windsor Locks CT
Fully refundable
The price is P4,863 per night from Mar 2 to Mar 3
P4,863
P5,592 total
Mar 2 - Mar 3
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
Clean, friendly service, AWESOME COFFEE

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2026

Candlewood Suites Windsor Locks Bradley Arpt by IHG
Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford

2.5 out of 5
351 Pitkin Steet East Hartford CT
The price is P5,236 per night from Feb 22 to Feb 23
P5,236
P6,022 total
Feb 22 - Feb 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in East Hartford. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,114 reviews)
It was good!

Reviewed on Feb 8, 2026

Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford
Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport

Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport

3.5 out of 5
1 Bradley International Airport Windsor Locks CT
The price is P13,416 per night from Feb 28 to Mar 1
P13,416
P15,428 total
Feb 28 - Mar 1
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
Friendly casual staff. Plenty good room.

Reviewed on Feb 4, 2026

Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport
DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown

4 out of 5
315 Trumbull St Hartford CT
The price is P9,080 per night from Feb 19 to Feb 20
P9,080
P10,441 total
Feb 19 - Feb 20
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hartford. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the clean rooms ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
Nice hotel, clean room, helpful staff, easy parking

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2026

DoubleTree by Hilton Hartford Downtown
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport

3 out of 5
64 Ella Grasso Turnpike Windsor Locks CT
The price is P5,484 per night from Feb 9 to Feb 10
P5,484
P6,306 total
Feb 9 - Feb 10
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Windsor Locks. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,547 reviews)
Room was nice clean , very beautiful room, nice staff

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hartford - Bradley Airport
See all 620 properties in Sheldon-Charter Oak
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Other neighbourhoods around Sheldon-Charter Oak

Dramatic cloudscape and autumn landscape over Connecticut State Capital building in Bushnell Park in Hartford, Connecticut

South Green

Though South Green might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts and Hartford City Hall.

South Green
Connecticut Science Center showing a garden

Downtown Hartford

Unique features of Downtown Hartford include the theaters and live music. Make a stop by Hartford Stage or Dunkin' Donuts Park while you're exploring the area.

Downtown Hartford
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Barry Square

If you're spending some time in Barry Square, Webster Theater and Assaiante Tennis Center are top sights worth seeing.

Barry Square
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South Meadows

Visitors to South Meadows like its coffeehouses and seafood restaurants, and Connecticut River is a sight worth a stop.

South Meadows
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Frog Hollow

While Frog Hollow might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Connecticut State Capital and Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

Frog Hollow
Pyramid memorial to Mark Howard

South End

While there might not be top attractions in South End, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Webster Theater and Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts.

South End

Sheldon-Charter Oak