This guide is a timeline for the process of Coltsville petitioning to become part of the National Park Service. The major focus is on the federal legislation driving this process and the general history related to what is now called Coltsville. It is updated periodically. For histories of the Colt firearms: search our catalog; explore archives finding aids; look at the Colt Industries web site; go to the National Park site; and look at the "Further Research and Reading" and "Additional Resources" pages on this guide (updated periodically).
Public Law 113-291 includes a series of "Conditions for Establishment" that must be met before the park may be formally established. The National Park Service (NPS) is in the process of meeting the criteria.
Previously this research guide linked to most steps in the legislative process. As of April 2022, this guide will be streamlined by linking to the federal bill histories for the legislative process. Bill histories in Congress.gov include links to the relevant documents for a federal legislative history. Consult our research guide on federal legislative histories or contact our reference librarians for additional information on the process. For detailed information about Coltsville becoming part of the National Park Service, please see our older archived guide:
November 9, 2009 through December 14, 2009
Coltsville : Special Resource Study (multi-part) released by Northeast Regional Office of the National Parks Service (NPS). Two National Park Service requirements are met: (1) national significance and (2) suitability. Two National Park Service requirements are NOT met: (3) feasibility and (4) management options. print version: StLib Stacks F104.H36 C65 2009
Coltsville Visitor Experience Study -- funded in part by Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. (source 27)
Coltsville Historic District (Formerly Known As Samuel Colt Home [Armsmear]), Name Change, Boundary Change and Additional Documentation Approved (NPS). (link for document no longer works as of 9/02/2020)
Coltsville Historic District designated an NHL by the Secretary of the Interior. (source Coltsville Speical Resource Study)
August 31, 2007
National Historic Landmark Nomination NPS Form 10-900 USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form (Rev. 8-86) OMB No. 1024-0018 Coltsville Historic District. Listed on Landmarks Committee Meeting Agenda (link for agenda no longer works as of 9/02/2020).
2007
Coalition to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood 2007 Strategic Plan (source 26) - Document: "This 2007 Strategic Plan has two important goals: to update the year 2000 strategic plan, and to link the CSS/CON plan with the City of Hartford’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Work on this document began in the fall of 2006. Following public input and adoption by CSS/CON, this plan will serve as the blueprint for improvements in the Sheldon/Charter Oak NRZ over the next 5—10 years." (source 26, page 4)
2006
Colt was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Source 32
October 20, 2006
Rejection of National Landmark status for Coltsville Historic District.
September 2006
"Samuel Colt: Arms, Art and Invention" opened at Wadsworth Atheneum.
January 2, 2005
Congressional Reports. Committee on Resources. Monday, January 3, 2005
October 20, 2004
September 2, 2004
August 26, 2004
Notice of Study to Determine Potential for Designation as a National Historic Landmark
October 3, 2003
January 29, 2003
January 23, 2003
May 15, 2002
March 6, 2002
Federal Budget hinders progress on National Park. Hartford Courant reports that policy changes at NPS and a Bush administrative directive hinder progress on Coltsville. The Bush Administrative Directive postpones new projects until a $5 billion maintenance backlog is addressed. A park service policy now requires local regions to be full partners in financing new parks or museums. source 18
2001
"A boundary increase to the district occurred in 2001 and included seven buildings and one structure situated on the north side of Sequassen Street between Van Dyke Avenue and Huyshope Avenue."
June 2001
January Session, 2001
March 30, 2000
Public Hearing. Appropriations and Finance Committee. Connecticut General Assembly. Adriaen's Landing development plan.
January, 2000
First Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) Strategic Plan was prepared in January of 2000. (source 26)
