The coltsville factory was constructed in 1847 and was expanded throughout the 19th century. Those expansions included the construction, in 1855, of the armory's distinctive blue onion dome, a Hartford landmark. In order to attract laborers, Colt created a self-contained community surrounding the factory that included housing, gardens and entertainment halls as well as a library, school, church and social hall. Two years after Samuel's death in 1862, the Colt factory was decimated by fire. His wife Elizabeth quickly rebuilt and be-came one of the most fascinating examples of early American female idustrialists.

Elizabeth led the company through its most prosperous years at a time when men dominated the industrial world. In fact, Colt's most recognized accomplishment, the peacemaker, was not manufactured until after his death. Her significant contributions to American industrialism make Coltsville unique from other historical sites and establish and appeal beyond the manufacture of munitions. Elizabeth Colt gives the site a central story, broad utility, a greater audience and a compelling reason to visit.