State, Hartford sign lease for Old State House
HARTFORD, Conn. --State and Hartford officials have signed a 99-year lease placing Connecticut's Old State House under new management.
The lease, which went into effect Friday, puts the city-owned historic building under the control of the state Office of Legislative Management.
The Old State House was built in 1796. It had been in danger of closing earlier this year because of financial constraints.
The legislative agency plans to hire outside providers for Old State House services such as gallery tours, marketing and coordinating its artifacts.
Legislative leaders said Friday the lease requires the state to pay $1 yearly to Hartford for 99 years. The General Assembly has budgeted $500,000 annually to operate the facility. 