Charter Oak Cultural Center is a rare and wonderful place. Built in 1876, the state's first synagogue has always been a symbol of the sacred struggle for the freedom of religious and cultural expression. Restored by a group of Hartford-area residents, Charter Oak Cultural Center is now a non-profit arts resource for the exploration of the world's cultures, especially those strongly represented in the Hartford region. It is home to three beautiful gallery spaces and an extraordinary performance space. Through exhibitions, performances, in-school programs, lectures and workshops, the Center is providing the residents of the neighborhood, the greater Hartford area and the state with the opportunity to learn, celebrate, and understand a diversity of cultures. The Charter Oak Cultural Center, long an arts showcase for Hartford's diverse communities, offers multicultural arts and education programming in its restored landmark building, Connecticut's first synagogue. To do the work of social justice, which we see as not being separate from, but part and parcel of, both the Jewish heritage of the building and of the desire to make sure that the arts are accessible to all who wish to enjoy them. Charter Oak Cultural Center is housed in Connecticut's oldest synagogue. Built in 1876, this building was born out of the struggle for religious freedom- a constitutional amendment was required to allow its construction as a non-Congregationalist house of worship. The building was home to Congregation Beth Israel until 1936, and then to the Calvary Baptist Church until 1972.
Website: charteroakcenter.org
Phone: (860) 310-2580
Cross Streets: Between Charter Oak Pl/S Prospect St and Buckingham St/Main St
21 Charter Oak Ave Hartford, CT 06106-1801 ·444.04 mi
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Activities go on year round. Caters to a diverse audience and has strong ties to local communities. There is much support for developing youth performers which is especially important at a time when the Arts are being cut back in the general academic environment. They deserve your support.
MoreWhere can I begin? Here's a start... I purchased 25$ tickets for a play. I walked into the cultural center confused because it looked as if I would be attending a church service. When I purchased these tickets the time stated for the play to start was 7:00pm... I waited and waited and waited along with the rest of the audience for the play to start... 40 minutes later people begin to enter the church like room they have us in eating large pieces of cake an cheese in front of everyone else who had not paid the extra 25$ for the reception which was a little unprofessional I thought...and might I add that I'm glad I didn't pay the extra 25$ for the big piece of cake two small pieces of cheese and a few small pieces of fruit. Anyways after these people are seated and everyone is wondering what's going on... 10 minutes later a women comes in and hands us some programs after we have been seated for about an hour. I feel that is was ridiculously unprofessional that they had us waiting there for so long without giving us the proper time that the show started ahead of time... Like when I purchased my ticket.... For all that money that they ask me through their little letters in the mail with the little envelopes... they have got to do better! & on top of all of that ... IT STILL DID NOT START AT THE TIME THEY SAID IT WOULD START WHEN THEY REVISED THE TIME FROM 7PM - 8PM I WILL NEVER RETURN AGAIN . Don't waste your time or money...
MoreA peaceful but lively sanctuary in the heart of the city! There is a BEAUTIFUL community garden filled with veggies, fruits, flowers, and art! The building its self is rich with historic details, the walls hold many stories of the past but also create a space for the future! The staff is extremely friendly and works hard to provide enjoyable programs for people of any age. A great place to visit! You can have a picnic in the garden, check out the gallery exhibits, pick up a local street paper Beat of the Street, get a tour of the building, check out any upcoming events, or just go in and say hi!!
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