Blue dome atop a large factory behind a river
The Colt Armory Complex next to the CT River with its signature Blue Onion Dome NPS Photo

Coltsville National Historical Park

National Historic Site · Connecticut · National Park Service

When Samuel Colt started his Hartford factory on the banks of the Connecticut River in 1847, it followed years of mismanagement and failure. Soon, demand for Colt's revolver would change his fortunes and the Colt empire was born. Following Colt's untimely death in 1862, his wife, Elizabeth Colt, would lead the company to its legendary status, and influence Hartford for over 40 years.

Plan your visit

Know before you go

Phone
(860) 500-6078
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

Things to do

Highlights: Industry · Factories · Military · Armories · Wars and Conflicts

Photos

  • The Blue Onion Dome of the Armory and the spire of the Church against a cloudy blue sky.
    Nick Caito
  • A church and trees against the backdrop of a bight blue sky and clouds.
    Nick Caito
  • A tan and brown building, built in the Italian Villa style with rounded arches and balconies.
    Nick Caito
  • A tan and brown building with numerous design elements meant resemble a ship, against a blue sky.
    NPS Photo
  • A red brown building with a wooden enclosed spaced in front of trees on a cloudy day.
    NPS Photo
  • A statue of a young and an adult Samuel Colt in front of a tree with a cloudy sky.
    NPS Photo
  • A white stone building with multiple windows and three chimneys with green grass and a black fence.
    NPS Photo

Nearby parks

Parks of Connecticut

Nathan Hale State ForestDevil's Hopyard State ParkWadsworth Falls State ParkNipmuck State ForestPootatuck State ForestKettletown State ParkAbove All State Park Scenic ReserveTopsmead State ForestMianus River State Park Scenic ReserveHurd State ParkBeckett Hill State Park Scenic ReserveTrimountain State Park Scenic ReserveSunrise State ParkRocky Neck State ParkBennett's Pond State ParkLamentation Mountain State Park Scenic ReserveHorseguard State Park Scenic ReserveSleeping Giant State ParkNassahegon State ForestMooween State ParkHigganum Reservoir State ParkAppalachian National Scenic TrailSquantz Pond State ParkWindsor Meadows State ParkRoss Pond State ParkMount Bushnell State Park Scenic ReserveHammonasset Beach State ParkSalmon River State ForestJohn A. Minetto State ParkPachaug State ForestHarkness Memorial State ParkNaugatuck State ForestAlgonquin State ForestBrainard Homestead State ParkHousatonic State ForestMeshomasic State ForestIndustrial Monument Historic PreserveMashamoquet Brook State ParkDart Island State Park Scenic ReserveStratton Brook State ParkTunxis State ForestShenipsit State ForestBluff Point State ParkPreserve State ForestEagle Landing State ParkScantic River State ParkPeoples State ForestWooster Mountain State Park Scenic ReserveOld Furnace State ParkSilver Sands State ParkNepaug State ForestNehantic State ForestDennis Hill State ParkNye-Holman State ForestNatchaug State ForestLarkin State Park TrailMinnie Island State ParkHopeville Pond State ParkWhittemore Glen State Park Scenic ReserveFort Griswold Battlefield State ParkQuinnipiac River State ParkPaugnut State ForestSouthford Falls State ParkLake Waramaug State ParkHousatonic Meadows State ParkHumaston Brook State Park Scenic ReserveGeorge D. Seymour State Park Scenic ReserveSeaside State ParkCockaponset State ForestAir Line State Park TrailPutnam Memorial State ParkFarmington Canal Greenway State ParkPomeroy State Park Scenic ReserveAuerfarm State Park Scenic ReserveGay City State ParkBurr Pond State ParkCentennial Watershed State ForestHop River State Park TrailLovers Leap State ParkMount Tom State ParkJames L. Goodwin State ForestMassacoe State ForestKent Falls State ParkGillette Castle State ParkConnecticut Valley Railroad State ParkIndian Well State ParkFarm River State ParkBeaver Brook State Park Scenic ReserveCamp Columbia State ParkMachimoodus State ParkHaddam Island State ParkChatfield Hollow State ParkSelden Neck State ParkMacedonia Brook State ParkRiver Highlands State ParkSeth Low Pierrepont State Park Scenic ReserveTalcott Mountain State ParkQuaddick State ForestHaystack Mountain State ParkPenwood State ParkMoosup Valley State Park TrailHaddam Meadows State ParkOsbornedale State ParkCollis P. Huntington State ParkBolton Notch State Park Scenic ReserveWeir Farm National Historical ParkMohawk Mountain State ParkSunny Brook State ParkFort Trumbull State ParkQuaddick State ParkGeorge C. Waldo State Park Scenic ReserveStillwater Pond State ParkKillingly Pond State Park Scenic ReserveMount Riga State Park Scenic ReserveMillers Pond State ParkMohawk State ForestDinosaur State ParkPaugussett State ForestAmerican Legion State ForestMansfield Hollow State ParkSherwood Island State ParkDay Pond State ParkCampbell Falls State Park Scenic ReserveHopemead State ParkNathaniel Lyon Memorial State ParkBlack Rock State ParkPlatt Hill State Park Scenic ReserveEnders State ForestWest Rock Ridge State ParkStoddard Hill State ParkRocky Glen State Park Scenic ReserveBigelow Hollow State ParkMattatuck State ForestCamp Columbia State ForestWharton Brook State ParkMohegan State ForestHaley Farm State ParkWyantenock State Forest

139 parks mapped in Connecticut

You're looking at Coltsville National Historical Park — the gold marker.

Every dot is a park. Tap one to jump to it.

Browse all Connecticut parks →

Guides for the trip

All guides →

Sources: National Park Service · updated 2026-08-12