History Day Previous Topics

Connecticut History Illustrated (CHI): "Over the last three centuries, the arts and entertainment have been part of the social fabric in Connecticut, following trends within the larger cultural context of the nation as a whole, and also contributing to the formation of the state’s unique identity. In addition to homegrown artists and entertainers, national figures in the arts were drawn to places such as the art colonies of Cos Cob and Old Lyme, and many were part of the development of American Impressionism. Hartford became the home of writer and humorist Mark Twain, as well as the place where the country’s the first public art institution, the Wadsworth Atheneum, was established. Popular entertainment has taken many forms, including dances, concerts, plays, lectures and exhibitions. The visual and performing arts have appealed to diverse audiences in both traditional and non-traditional venues throughout the state as they adapt their offerings to provide fresh interpretations and new forms of creative expression. To find more resources about the arts and entertainment in Connecticut, use the topic headings and other keywords within records to extend your searches--terms such as “impressionism,” “concert*,” “hip hop,” (enclosing phrases in quotes, and using an * to allow for singular, plural or other forms), and the names of individuals or organizations. Exploring the collections or items to which individual items belong or of which they are a part can be another way to find more items of interest."