Connecticut Legislative Office Building

To the Connecticut State Capitol

[Enter the CT State Capitol - Here](https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=QobxjLXk8rG&cloudEdit=1&sr=.04%2C-.01&ss=2)

Hearing Room 1A - State Bird - American Robin

The American Robin was adopted as the official state bird in 1943. The name "robin" is applied to a number of familiar birds but in North America it is the migratory thrush. Connecticut's Robin is a thrush with a reddish brown or tawny breast and a loud cheery song. The early colonists were the first to call it Robin in remembrance of the beloved English bird. In the summer, the Robin is seen from Alaska to Virginia. Many Robins spend the entire winter in New England feeding on winter berries and roosting in evergreens.

Hearing Room 1C - The State Flower - Mountain Laurel

Designated the state flower in 1907, the Mountain Laurel is a native American shrub fist mentioned in John Smith's General History (1624). Samples of the plant were sent to Linnaeus, the famous botanist, by Swedish explorer Peter Kalm in 1750. Linnaeus gave it the name Kalmia Latifolia to honor his correspondent and to describe the "wide-leaved" characteristic of the plant. The Mountain Laurel's pink and white blossoms have been admired by travelers since Connecticut's colonization. The statue Genius of Connecticut, located in the State Capitol, holds a wreath of Mountain Laurel in one of her hands.

Medal of Honor

This display case contains examples of the Medal of Honor as given by the different branches of the U.S. military.

"Eagle"

Designed by David von Schlegell (1920-1992) of Guilford, Connecticut, the Eagle represents civic pride, strength, and virtue. The statue is made of aluminum and is covered in gold leaf. It stands eight feet tall and is landing on a twenty-four feet tall granite column. The column is the only piece of Connecticut stone found in the Legislative Office Building.

Hearing Room 2E - The State Mammal - Sperm Whale

Named the state animal in 1975, the Sperm Whale is the largest of the toothed whales. It grows up to sixty feet in length and is capable of diving over 3000 feet. The Sperm Whale has the largest brain of any creature ever to exist on Earth. The Sperm Whale was chosen as the state animal because of its special contribution to Connecticut's history and because of its present-day plight as an endangered species. During the 1800's, Connecticut ranked second only to Massachusetts as a whaling state. The Sperm Whale was the most sought-after species by Connecticut whalers, who sailed from Mystic, New London, and other Connecticut ports.

Concourse to Capitol

The concourse is an underground walkway to the State Capitol. It goes under the entrance and exit ramps of I-84. Throughout the year, various organizations, schools, and individuals display artwork and informational exhibits on three of the walls. Halfway through the concourse is the "Hall of Honor" with models statues from Washington, DC. A permanent display entitled "Imaging Connecticut" is located along the moving sidewalk in the upper concourse.

Connecticut Hall of Fame

On January 24, 2005 members of the Connecticut Hall of Fame Committee and Legislative Leaders formally unveiled plans for the creation of the Connecticut Hall of Fame. Located in the atrium area on the second floor of the Legislative Office Building, the Hall of Fame was designed to honor individuals from Connecticut who have distinguished themselves in their professions, both nationally or internationally. Each year the committee reviews the applications of many nominees and refers their selection to the Legislative Leaders for approval. An awards ceremony, "Connecticut Hall of Fame Day," is held to honor those inducted. [Connecticut Hall of Fame](https://cga.ct.gov/hof/)

Senate Majority Offices

[Senate Democrats Office](http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/)

Hearing Room 2D - Nutmeg Bush

Nutmeg, a spice native to Indonesia, only flourishes in the tropics. Connecticut became known as the Nutmeg State, according to a state legend, because Yankee peddlers in the 18th and 19th centuries carved and sold wooden nutmegs as real nutmegs in the South. Some believe this story to be untrue. Carving a wooden nutmeg would be more costly and take more time than importing real nutmeg. Perhaps the legend developed because unknowing buyers believed the nutmeg was to be cracked like a walnut rather than grated. When they found this to be impossible, they assumed they were sold a wooden nutmeg. No real effort was made to shed the nickname and some individuals have promoted it. Made-in-Connecticut wooden nutmegs were sold at the 1876 Centennial celebration in Philadelphia and at the 1892 World's Fair in Chicago.

Hearing Room 1E - The Fundamental Orders

On May 31, 1868, the Reverend Thomas Hooker preached a sermon which proclaimed that the idea of self-government for the Connecticut colony. Hooker stated that "the foundation of authority is laid in the free consent of the people". His ideas became known as the Fundamental Orders and were adopted on January 14, 1639, establishing the government for the colony. The Fundamental Orders was the first written constitution known to history that established a democratic government. It was the cornerstone of American democracy. As a result, Connecticut was named the "Constitution State" in 1959. The Fundamental Orders is on display in the Museum of Connecticut History located at 231 Capitol Avenue.

Senate Repubicans Office

[Senate Republicans Office](https://ctsenaterepublicans.com/)

Cafeteria Door - The Connecticut State Capitol

The Connecticut State Capitol, designed by Richard Mitchell Upjohn, first opened in March 1878. It is an example of High Victorian Gothic architecture with classical features including a gold leaf covered dome. The Capitol contains the Hall of the House of Representatives, the Senate Chamber, and offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of the State. In 1971, the United States Department of the Interior declared the building a National Historic Landmark. it was restored between the years 1979 and 1989.

Welcome to the Legislative Office Building

The Legislative Office Building, completed in 1988, was designed by the firm of Russell Gibson von Dohlen of Farmington, Connecticut. The structure is covered in rough and polished Texas granite. The interior is polished Texas granite as well as Italian, Mexican, and Spanish marble. Cherry wood from Indiana and Wisconsin compliments the interior design. The building was constructed to meet the increasing complexity of issues requiring specialized committees and tasks forces who need meeting places for study, research, and input from people competing for different solutions. There are ten public hearing/committee rooms on the first and second floors. Most of the offices of the state legislators (36 Senators and 151 Representatives) are on the 3rd and 4th floors of the building. Nearly all the legislative committees have a suite, including offices for each of its co-chairs, on one of the first three levels. t

An Orderly and Decent Government

The title "An Orderly and Decent Government" is a phrase taken directly from the "Fundamental Orders of 1639". The timeline is a permanent exhibit of Connecticut History from 1636 to the present day.

Hearing Room 1B - Connecticut State Map

The map shows the eight geographical counties of Connecticut . Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven, and New London counties were established in 1666. Windham county was constituted in 1726 and was followed by Litchfield county in 1751. The last two counties, Middlesex and Tolland, were founded in 1785. County government was abolished in 1960.

Hearing Room 2A - The Litchfield Law School

The Litchfield Law School, founded in 1784 by Judge Tapping Reeve, was the first law school established in America. The one room building is considered the very fountainhead of law in America. Listed among its graduates are two vice presidents, three members of the Supreme Court, twenty-eight senators, fourteen governors, sixteen chief justices or chancellors of states, and one duelist, Aaron Burr (brother-in-law of Tapping Reeve).

Connecticut State Seal

In the center of the state seal are three grapevines. There are two interpretations as to what the grapevines represent. Many believe they represent the first three towns in Connecticut: Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor. Another belief is that they stand for the three colonies or settlements: New Haven, Saybrook, and Connecticut (Hartford), that by 1665 had merged to form the Connecticut of that time. The state motto "Qui Transtulit Sustinet", translates to "He who transplanted still sustains", and is inscribed in the banner below the shield. The state seal is found throughout the Legislative Office Building and Capitol. It is on doors, carpeting, chairs, stained glass, carved into stone, and in painted form.

Medal of Honor Plaque

This plaque list the names of the Connecticut veterans awarded the Model of Honor from the Civil War through the Vietnam era. [Connecticut Recipients of the Medal of Honor](https://portal.ct.gov/MIL/MAPO/History/People/Connecticut-Recipients-of-the-Medal-of-Honor)

Hearing Room 2C - The Old State House

Designed by Charles Bullfinch of Boston, the Old State House is one of the oldest state houses in the nation. Opened in May of 1796, it served as the seat of Connecticut government until 1878 when the present Capitol building opened. The Old State House is a registered National Historic Landmark and is open to the public. [Connecticut's Old State House](https://wp.cga.ct.gov/osh/)Many major state and national events have and continue to occur at the building. General Lafayette was made an honorary citizen there. The trials of Cinque and the Amistad opened there in 1839. P.T. Barnum served in the legislature in the Old State House. In 1981, President Carter gave the U.S.S. Nautilus to Connecticut in a ceremony held at the building.

Hearing Room 1D - State Insect - European "Praying" Mantis

The "Praying" Mantis was officially named the State Insect on October 1, 1977. Fourth grade students from Vernon, Connecticut proposed that it be the state insect. The name "mantis", derived from the Greek, originally meant prophet or diviner. Such a name appropriately describes its habit of standing on its four hind legs with its two forelegs raised in an attitude of meditation. The mantis is not native to Connecticut. Its origins are in Southern Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. It can be found throughout the state from early May or June until cold weather. The green or brown insect averages 2 to 2 1/2 inches in length. It is a "friend" to farmers since it feeds on flies, grasshoppers, small caterpillars, and aphids. It is a symbolic reminder of the importance of the natural environment to human and biological survival.

Sgt. John Chapman

[Sgt. John Chapman ](https://portal.ct.gov/WallofHonor/Profiles-Bio/John-Chapman)was Connecticut's first servicemember to lose his life in Afghanistan. A native of Windsor Locks, Sgt. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2018.

Hearing Room 1B - Connecticut State Map

The map shows the eight geographical counties of Connecticut . Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven, and New London counties were established in 1666. Windham county was constituted in 1726 and was followed by Litchfield county in 1751. The last two counties, Middlesex and Tolland, were founded in 1785. County government was abolished in 1960.

Hall of Honor

The Hall of Honor is a permanent memorial to Connecticut's veterans. The statuettes in the front are smaller versions of three statues from Washington DC: "Women in the Military" and the "Servicemen Statue" from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the "Iwo Jima Flag Raising", as well as the Connecticut Korean War Memorial also known as "Firefight". Behind the statues is the "Wall of Honor" with photographs of the 65 Connecticut servicemen and women who lost their lives serving in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2002. On the rear wall is a plaque listing the Connecticut servicemembers who received the Medal of Honor from the Civil War through the Vietnam War.

Walkway to the Capitol Grounds

Connecticut's Wall of Honor

In 2007, then-State Comptroller Nancy Wyman, who was later elected as Connecticut's Lieutenant Governor, and Hartford-area radio host Brad Davis established the Wall of Honor to recognize members of the Armed Forces from Connecticut who were killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since the terrorist attacks on 9/11. For profiles of the sixty-five Connecticut servicemembers who lost their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan go to [Connecticut's Wall of Honor](https://portal.ct.gov/WallofHonor/Content/Profiles) .

Hearing Room 2B - The State Tree - White Oak / Charter Oak

The Charter Oak Tree is an image deep-rooted in the historic tradition of Connecticut. It is one of the most significant symbols of the strength and love of freedom which inspired the early settlers to resist tyranny. On October 9, 1662, the general Court of Connecticut formally received a self-governing charter from King Charles II. Twenty-five years later, with the succession of James II, Connecticut's troubles began. James II had ordered the Charter returned, but the colonists in Connecticut refused to do so. Sir Edmund Andros, the king's agent, was dispatched with an armed force to seize the Charter. After hours of debate, the candlelit meeting room suddenly went dark. When the candles were relit, the Charter was nowhere to be found. Captain Joseph Wadsworth is credited with having removed and hidden the Charter in a large white oak tree on the Wyllys estate. On August 21, 1856, the great tree fell during a storm. The wood of the Charter Oak was then used to carve various

MENU
Connecticut Legislative Office Building
Connecticut Legislative Office Building
300 Capitol Ave #5100, Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 240-0100
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Points of Interest
Points of Interest
to the connecticut state capitol enter the ct state capitol - here To the Connecticut State Capitol hearing room 1a - state bird - american robin the american robin was adopted as the official state bird in 1943. the name "robin" is applied to a number of familiar birds but in north america it is the migratory thrush. connecticut's robin is a thrush with a reddish brown or tawny breast and a loud cheery song. the early colonists were the first to call it robin in remembrance of the beloved english bird. in the summer, the robin is seen from alaska to virginia. many robins spend the entire winter in new england feeding on winter berries and roosting in evergreens. Hearing Room 1A - State Bird - American Robin hearing room 1c - the state flower - mountain laurel designated the state flower in 1907, the mountain laurel is a native american shrub fist mentioned in john smith's general history (1624). samples of the plant were sent to linnaeus, the famous botanist, by swedish explorer peter kalm in 1750. linnaeus gave it the name kalmia latifolia to honor his correspondent and to describe the "wide-leaved" characteristic of the plant. the mountain laurel's pink and white blossoms have been admired by travelers since connecticut's colonization. the statue genius of connecticut, located in the state capitol, holds a wreath of mountain laurel in one of her hands. Hearing Room 1C - The State Flower - Mountain Laurel medal of honor this display case contains examples of the medal of honor as given by the different branches of the u.s. military. Medal of Honor "eagle" designed by david von schlegell (1920-1992) of guilford, connecticut, the eagle represents civic pride, strength, and virtue. the statue is made of aluminum and is covered in gold leaf. it stands eight feet tall and is landing on a twenty-four feet tall granite column. the column is the only piece of connecticut stone found in the legislative office building. "Eagle" concourse to capitol the concourse is an underground walkway to the state capitol. it goes under the entrance and exit ramps of i-84. throughout the year, various organizations, schools, and individuals display artwork and informational exhibits on three of the walls. halfway through the concourse is the "hall of honor" with models statues from washington, dc. a permanent display entitled "imaging connecticut" is located along the moving sidewalk in the upper concourse. Concourse to Capitol connecticut hall of fame on january 24, 2005 members of the connecticut hall of fame committee and legislative leaders formally unveiled plans for the creation of the connecticut hall of fame. located in the atrium area on the second floor of the legislative office building, the hall of fame was designed to honor individuals from connecticut who have distinguished themselves in their professions, both nationally or internationally. each year the committee reviews the applications of many nominees and refers their selection to the legislative leaders for approval. an awards ceremony, "connecticut hall of fame day," is held to honor those inducted. connecticut hall of fame Connecticut Hall of Fame hearing room 1e - the fundamental orders on may 31, 1868, the reverend thomas hooker preached a sermon which proclaimed that the idea of self-government for the connecticut colony. hooker stated that "the foundation of authority is laid in the free consent of the people". his ideas became known as the fundamental orders and were adopted on january 14, 1639, establishing the government for the colony. the fundamental orders was the first written constitution known to history that established a democratic government. it was the cornerstone of american democracy. as a result, connecticut was named the "constitution state" in 1959. the fundamental orders is on display in the museum of connecticut history located at 231 capitol avenue. Hearing Room 1E - The Fundamental Orders cafeteria door - the connecticut state capitol the connecticut state capitol, designed by richard mitchell upjohn, first opened in march 1878. it is an example of high victorian gothic architecture with classical features including a gold leaf covered dome. the capitol contains the hall of the house of representatives, the senate chamber, and offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of the state. in 1971, the united states department of the interior declared the building a national historic landmark. it was restored between the years 1979 and 1989. Cafeteria Door - The Connecticut State Capitol welcome to the legislative office building the legislative office building, completed in 1988, was designed by the firm of russell gibson von dohlen of farmington, connecticut. the structure is covered in rough and polished texas granite. the interior is polished texas granite as well as italian, mexican, and spanish marble. cherry wood from indiana and wisconsin compliments the interior design. the building was constructed to meet the increasing complexity of issues requiring specialized committees and tasks forces who need meeting places for study, research, and input from people competing for different solutions. there are ten public hearing/committee rooms on the first and second floors. most of the offices of the state legislators (36 senators and 151 representatives) are on the 3rd and 4th floors of the building. nearly all the legislative committees have a suite, including offices for each of its co-chairs, on one of the first three levels. t Welcome to the Legislative Office Building an orderly and decent government the title "an orderly and decent government" is a phrase taken directly from the "fundamental orders of 1639". the timeline is a permanent exhibit of connecticut history from 1636 to the present day. An Orderly and Decent Government hearing room 1b - connecticut state map the map shows the eight geographical counties of connecticut . fairfield, hartford, new haven, and new london counties were established in 1666. windham county was constituted in 1726 and was followed by litchfield county in 1751. the last two counties, middlesex and tolland, were founded in 1785. county government was abolished in 1960. Hearing Room 1B - Connecticut State Map hearing room 2a - the litchfield law school the litchfield law school, founded in 1784 by judge tapping reeve, was the first law school established in america. the one room building is considered the very fountainhead of law in america. listed among its graduates are two vice presidents, three members of the supreme court, twenty-eight senators, fourteen governors, sixteen chief justices or chancellors of states, and one duelist, aaron burr (brother-in-law of tapping reeve). Hearing Room 2A - The Litchfield Law School connecticut state seal in the center of the state seal are three grapevines. there are two interpretations as to what the grapevines represent. many believe they represent the first three towns in connecticut: hartford, wethersfield, and windsor. another belief is that they stand for the three colonies or settlements: new haven, saybrook, and connecticut (hartford), that by 1665 had merged to form the connecticut of that time. the state motto "qui transtulit sustinet", translates to "he who transplanted still sustains", and is inscribed in the banner below the shield. the state seal is found throughout the legislative office building and capitol. it is on doors, carpeting, chairs, stained glass, carved into stone, and in painted form. Connecticut State Seal medal of honor plaque this plaque list the names of the connecticut veterans awarded the model of honor from the civil war through the vietnam era. connecticut recipients of the medal of honor Medal of Honor Plaque hearing room 1d - state insect - european "praying" mantis the "praying" mantis was officially named the state insect on october 1, 1977. fourth grade students from vernon, connecticut proposed that it be the state insect. the name "mantis", derived from the greek, originally meant prophet or diviner. such a name appropriately describes its habit of standing on its four hind legs with its two forelegs raised in an attitude of meditation. the mantis is not native to connecticut. its origins are in southern europe, north africa, and temperate asia. it can be found throughout the state from early may or june until cold weather. the green or brown insect averages 2 to 2 1/2 inches in length. it is a "friend" to farmers since it feeds on flies, grasshoppers, small caterpillars, and aphids. it is a symbolic reminder of the importance of the natural environment to human and biological survival. Hearing Room 1D - State Insect - European "Praying" Mantis sgt. john chapman sgt. john chapman was connecticut's first servicemember to lose his life in afghanistan. a native of windsor locks, sgt. chapman was posthumously awarded the medal of honor in 2018. Sgt. John Chapman hearing room 1b - connecticut state map the map shows the eight geographical counties of connecticut . fairfield, hartford, new haven, and new london counties were established in 1666. windham county was constituted in 1726 and was followed by litchfield county in 1751. the last two counties, middlesex and tolland, were founded in 1785. county government was abolished in 1960. Hearing Room 1B - Connecticut State Map hall of honor the hall of honor is a permanent memorial to connecticut's veterans. the statuettes in the front are smaller versions of three statues from washington dc: "women in the military" and the "servicemen statue" from the vietnam veterans memorial, the "iwo jima flag raising", as well as the connecticut korean war memorial also known as "firefight". behind the statues is the "wall of honor" with photographs of the 65 connecticut servicemen and women who lost their lives serving in iraq or afghanistan since 2002. on the rear wall is a plaque listing the connecticut servicemembers who received the medal of honor from the civil war through the vietnam war. Hall of Honor connecticut's wall of honor in 2007, then-state comptroller nancy wyman, who was later elected as connecticut's lieutenant governor, and hartford-area radio host brad davis established the wall of honor to recognize members of the armed forces from connecticut who were killed in the wars in iraq and afghanistan since the terrorist attacks on 9/11. for profiles of the sixty-five connecticut servicemembers who lost their lives in iraq or afghanistan go to connecticut's wall of honor . Connecticut's Wall of Honor hearing room 2e - the state mammal - sperm whale named the state animal in 1975, the sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales. it grows up to sixty feet in length and is capable of diving over 3000 feet. the sperm whale has the largest brain of any creature ever to exist on earth. the sperm whale was chosen as the state animal because of its special contribution to connecticut's history and because of its present-day plight as an endangered species. during the 1800's, connecticut ranked second only to massachusetts as a whaling state. the sperm whale was the most sought-after species by connecticut whalers, who sailed from mystic, new london, and other connecticut ports. Hearing Room 2E - The State Mammal - Sperm Whale senate majority offices senate democrats office Senate Majority Offices hearing room 2d - nutmeg bush nutmeg, a spice native to indonesia, only flourishes in the tropics. connecticut became known as the nutmeg state, according to a state legend, because yankee peddlers in the 18th and 19th centuries carved and sold wooden nutmegs as real nutmegs in the south. some believe this story to be untrue. carving a wooden nutmeg would be more costly and take more time than importing real nutmeg. perhaps the legend developed because unknowing buyers believed the nutmeg was to be cracked like a walnut rather than grated. when they found this to be impossible, they assumed they were sold a wooden nutmeg. no real effort was made to shed the nickname and some individuals have promoted it. made-in-connecticut wooden nutmegs were sold at the 1876 centennial celebration in philadelphia and at the 1892 world's fair in chicago. Hearing Room 2D - Nutmeg Bush senate repubicans office senate republicans office Senate Repubicans Office hearing room 2c - the old state house designed by charles bullfinch of boston, the old state house is one of the oldest state houses in the nation. opened in may of 1796, it served as the seat of connecticut government until 1878 when the present capitol building opened. the old state house is a registered national historic landmark and is open to the public. connecticut's old state housemany major state and national events have and continue to occur at the building. general lafayette was made an honorary citizen there. the trials of cinque and the amistad opened there in 1839. p.t. barnum served in the legislature in the old state house. in 1981, president carter gave the u.s.s. nautilus to connecticut in a ceremony held at the building. Hearing Room 2C - The Old State House walkway to the capitol grounds Walkway to the Capitol Grounds hearing room 2b - the state tree - white oak / charter oak the charter oak tree is an image deep-rooted in the historic tradition of connecticut. it is one of the most significant symbols of the strength and love of freedom which inspired the early settlers to resist tyranny. on october 9, 1662, the general court of connecticut formally received a self-governing charter from king charles ii. twenty-five years later, with the succession of james ii, connecticut's troubles began. james ii had ordered the charter returned, but the colonists in connecticut refused to do so. sir edmund andros, the king's agent, was dispatched with an armed force to seize the charter. after hours of debate, the candlelit meeting room suddenly went dark. when the candles were relit, the charter was nowhere to be found. captain joseph wadsworth is credited with having removed and hidden the charter in a large white oak tree on the wyllys estate. on august 21, 1856, the great tree fell during a storm. the wood of the charter oak was then used to carve various Hearing Room 2B - The State Tree - White Oak / Charter Oak