A collaborative journalism project from Connecticut Public Radio and The Connecticut Mirror
A collaborative journalism project from Connecticut Public Radio and The Connecticut Mirror
What Historical Treasures Loom Large At The State Capitol?
There are two myths about Connecticut Governor William Alfred Buckingham. The first is that his ghost still haunts the Capitol, and the second is that it is good luck if you rub his shoes. Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
In the State Capitol rotunda, there is a restored plaster model of the Genius of Connecticut standing on a small gold dome. There is a plan to eventually put the statue on the very top of the Capitol. Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
The monument to the Forlorn Soldier is one of the oldest Civil War monuments in the United States at about 150 years old. It has become a prototype for later Civil War memorials. Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
Marquis de Lafayette slept in this cot when the famous French general marched across Connecticut during the American Revolution. Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
In the West Atrium of the Capitol, there’s the Hall of Flags, an extensive collection of battle flags from the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World Wars I and II and the Korean War. Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
In the southeast corner of the State Capitol is a bronze statue of state heroine Prudence Crandall, and her student, Sarah Harris. Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
There are two marble and brass fountains located underneath each staircase. They are empty now, but in the late 1800s they were used to fill buckets with water for legislators’ horses. Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
Also located in the Hall of Flags is the statue of William Buckingham, who was governor of Connecticut during the Civil War. Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
A statue of Connecticut's official state hero, Nathan Hale, sits in the east atrium. Hale is the infamous spy for George Washington, who when facing death delivered the famous quote, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Photo by Adam Hushin / Connecticut Public Radio
New state lawmakers may not take note of the statue of William Buckingham, Connecticut’s Civil War governor, as they zip around the first floor of the State Capitol Building.
But when they’re about to battle on the House or Senate floor, it couldn’t hurt to stop by and rub his shoes.
Doing so is said to bring good luck, according to Connecticut Mirror reporter Keith Phaneuf.
For our ongoing Extra Credit series on civics, Phaneuf takes Connecticut Public Radio News Director Jeff Cohen on an amusing virtual tour of the building.
Which statue under the Gold Dome has suffered the indignity of having many a reporter and legislative staffer attempt to toss a hula-hoop around it, all the way from the fourth floor?
