Community Corner
Hidden Gems Of Hartford And Tolland Counties
This week's Hidden Gem is a work of genius.
HARTFORD, CT — The latest trip to a hidden gem in Hartford and Tolland counties takes us to a corner inside the Connecticut State Capitol building in Hartford.
Yes, yes, there, are a lot of smart folks inside the two chambers of government when the legislature is in session, but the real Genius of Connecticut stands in a special nook.
On display in the north lobby of the Capitol is the original plaster model used in the casting of the bronze Genius.
Find out what's happening in Greater Hartfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to State Capitol Preservation and Restoration Commission, the term "genius" refers to "a protector figure" or a "symbol of the spirit of the people of Connecticut."
Randolph Rogers, the artist who designed the bronze "Columbus Doors" on the nation's Capitol, called the piece "The Genius of Connecticut."
Find out what's happening in Greater Hartfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The statue stood atop the Capitol dome from 1878 until 1938.
That year, a powerful hurricane hit the East Coast. The Genius was damaged in the storm and it led to fears that =she would fall from the dome.
After a long debate, historians tell us, the statue was removed and placed in the basement. In 1942, the piece was donated to the federal government and melted down as part of the war effort to make ammunition and machine parts.
See more about her legacy here.
____
The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Hartford and Tolland counties. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.
Other columns in this series:
- The Notch
- LuAnn's Bakery
- Ecker Hill Disc Golf Course
- The Kona Ice Truck
- Olympia Diner
- Mountain Dairy
- Anthony Jacks Wood-Fired Grill
- Pabs African Restaurant
- Henry's Pizzeria
- South Windsor Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Country Butcher
- Aby's Bakery
- Liberty Street Market & Deli
- Wilderness Lake Campground and Resort
- Time Machine toy and hobby store
- Paul Gregory's Bistro Cafe
- The Scoop
- Cheney Brothers National Historic Landmark District
- Faddy's Donuts and Ice Cream
- Riverfront Miniature Golf & Ice Cream
- The Historic Babcock Tavern
- High Grade Finishing
- Craig's Kitchen
- Sikorsky S-16 Bi-Plane Fighter
- Navy ZNP-K Airship Control Car
- Rosedale Farms & Vineyards
- Nathan Hale Homestead
- Burke Ridge Farms
- Necker's Toyland
- Civil War Monument at Mt. Hope Cemetery
- Gene Pitney Memorial Benches
- Joe McCluskey/Manchester Road Race Statue
- Samuel Field Knight Historic Marker
- Carol's Lunchbox
- Country Casuals
- Dakota Restaurant
- Country Cobbler
- Beau's Burger Shack
- Daniel Glazier Tavern
- Mount Southington Ski School
- Awards & More
- Marquis de Lafayette Monument
- The Little Red Store
- River Bend Bookshop
- Gerry's Donuts
- Traveler Restaurant
- First Decorated Christmas Tree
- The Stanley-Whitman House
- Vernon's Santa House
- Vintage Radio and Communications Museum of Connecticut
- Old Country Banquet Hall
- Brazilian Gula Grill
- Thomas' Smokey Pit Stop
- Congregational Church of Burlington labyrinth
- Noah Webster House
- The Bushnell's Green Room Wall
- Belding Wildlife Management Area
- The Aborn Castle
- Heublein Tower
- Birthplace of Jonathan Edwards
- Grave of Revolutionary War Soldier Heman Baker
- Jessica's Garden, Lobster and Ice Cream Shack
- Shade Swamp Sanctuary
- Ken's Corner Breakfast & Lunch
- Tolland Red and White
- The Packing House
- Cold Harbor Seafood
- Nye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove Park
- Hosmer Mountain Soda Shack
- Connecticut Trolley Museum
- Matterhorn Mini Golf
- Wood Memorial Library & Museum
- Hastings Farm
- Liquid Nirvana
- Iwo Jima Survivors Memorial Park
- Academy Hall
- Southington Drive-In
- Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall
- Somersvillage Gifts & Gourmet Baskets
- New England Civil War Museum
- The Pinchot Sycamore
- Stafford Palace Theater
- Mansfield Hollow State Park
- Old Tolland County Jail and Museum
- Hill-Stead Museum
- Mark's Restaurant
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
