In 1943, a 25 x 40 foot model Victory Garden could be found on the east lawn of the Old State House, at the spot formerly occupied by the post office. It was created and maintained by the Hartford Park Department, and financially sponsored by the Courant. Members of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut staffed an information booth on site every weekday, answering questions about gardening. In the first six weeks of operating, 2200 questions came in, many dealing with how to manage pests or rotate crops. 

What was grown on site in the heart of downtown included lettuce, radishes, swiss chard, beans, beets, and cabbage, and was donated to an unspecified charity or used in canning demonstrations, one of which was given by comedian Jerry Colonna. By the end of the first season, over 200 people applied for plots in the following year. It seemed the effort was serving its intention: inspiring city residents to plant their own gardens.

The project continued in 1944 with actor Jane Withers doing a ceremonial first turning of the soil for the season. For its second season, the garden was expanded to 40 x 60 feet, and a cold frame was added.

In August of 1944, the information booth was closed with it being decided that the type of questions being asked were more advanced, therefore their mission of helping new gardeners was accomplished. It was said the garden would remain open until further notice, but that notice was not very advanced. On the last day of the month, it was published that after the following day, the garden would be officially closed. It’s unclear what that meant, since the managing gardener would still harvest that season’s crops and answer questions anyone who dropped by asked. 

That closure was not only for the season. The project was done. Nothing was said of it in 1945.

Sometime since, the patch was covered over in comparatively useless grass.

If anyone was looking to depave (or debrick) the unnecessary parking lot behind the Old State House and replace with gardens — or install rows of raised beds atop the pavers — it would actually be an historically accurate use of its grounds, and would activate the space.

What does all of that have to do with the hydroponic vegetable garden outside of Center Church, pictured?

The first two Center Church meetinghouses occupied the Old State House grounds before it was the Old State House grounds.

That’s it.

As for the veggies, if you want them, subscribe to the LEVO CSA; pickup locations include downtown Hartford, Newington, and several locations in West Hartford. Another option: visit the farmstand at Westside Square on Farmington Avenue on Saturdays. The organization works with a network of gardeners — including at Center Church and St. Patrick-St. Anthony, along with residents growing in their yards, Forge City Works (formerly Billings Forge), and potentially those using vacant lots — to supply popular varieties of locally grown food.

There are those who like to say that Hartford is a food desert, and therefore people will go to suburbs; and then there are those who actively make healthier food more readily available in the city itself. I don’t have time for the former. 

Climate Possibilities is a new series about climate mitigation, along with resilience, resistance, and restoration. It’s about human habitat preservation. It’s about loving nature and planet Earth, and demanding the kind of change that gives future generations the opportunity for vibrant lives. Doomers will be eaten alive, figuratively. All photographs are taken in Hartford, Connecticut unless stated otherwise.