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.
Since the American Revolution, Connecticut has had three Capitols; built in 1878, this angelic-white structure is the state's third and last one. Designed by renowned American architect Richard M. Upjohn, the gold-domed building was erected in the Victorian Eastlake Movement-style and constructed using marble sourced from three different East Coast states. The iconic structure's stunning main facade is embellished with a series of carefully-crafted statues that bear likenesses to some of the most influential politicians and historic citizens to have come out of Connecticut. The capitol building is currently home to the state senate and the house of representatives, while also maintaining the offices of the governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state.
Built as a replacement for the Gothic-style church that burned down in 1956, the majestically modern Cathedral of St. Joseph built in was built in 1962. The cathedral is beautifully adorned with stained glass, elegant bronze bells and ceramic-titled murals that surround the altar of this impressive edifice.
