Hartford, Connecticut: A 2022 Journey Through History
In 2022, I set off on another of my signature trips—one focused on uncovering the historical heart of a city. This time, the destination was Hartford, Connecticut. We flew in from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), one of our home airports, along with Washington National (DCA) and Washington Dulles (IAD).
As always, my mission was simple: explore the city’s history one landmark at a time. Hartford did not disappoint.
Stepping Into the Past: Twain and Stowe
No historical visit to Hartford is complete without a stop at the Mark Twain House & Museum. This Victorian Gothic mansion was once home to Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, and it’s where he wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Right next door, I visited the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, the home of the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The tour offered not just a look at her life but also a deeper dive into the abolitionist movements and reform efforts of her time.
Lunch at the Mark Twain House Café
After a morning immersed in literary history, we took a lunch break at the Nook Farm Café, located inside the Mark Twain House. It was a cozy and convenient choice—offering fresh, simple meals in a charming atmosphere.
Eating right on-site made it easy to reflect on everything we’d just seen, while surrounded by the legacy of some of America’s greatest literary minds.
Timeless Art at Wadsworth Atheneum
Next, we visited the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the oldest public art museum in the United States. Its vast and varied collection—spanning European old masters to contemporary works—made for a truly immersive experience. Every gallery told a new story, adding more historical texture to our day.
Hartford’s Historic Green Spaces
Later in the afternoon, we explored Bushnell Park, the nation’s first publicly funded park. The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch there stands as a powerful tribute to Hartford’s Civil War veterans and is a striking piece of the city’s skyline.
We also made a stop at Elizabeth Park, home to one of the oldest municipal rose gardens in the country. Even outside of peak bloom, its beauty and historical charm were unmistakable.
Reflections on Hartford
This visit to Hartford followed a familiar rhythm—seeking out a city’s soul through its historical layers. From iconic authors and art collections to green spaces and memorials, Hartford offers a rich tapestry of American stories.
If, like me, your travels are driven by a love for history and cultural discovery, Hartford is a destination well worth exploring.