Coltsville Study Act of 2003
PL 108-94 (S.233), enacted 10/03/2003

117 STAT. 1163
PUBLIC LAW 108–94—OCT. 3, 2003
Public Law 108–94
108th Congress
An Act
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of Coltsville in the
State of Connecticut for potential inclusion in the National Park System.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Coltsville Study Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that—
(1) Hartford, Connecticut, home to Colt Manufacturing
Company (referred to in this Act as ‘‘Colt’’), played a major
role in the Industrial Revolution;
(2) Samuel Colt, founder of Colt, and his wife, Elizabeth
Colt, inspired Coltsville, a community in the State of Con-
necticut that flourished during the Industrial Revolution and
included Victorian mansions, an open green area, botanical
gardens, and a deer park;
(3) the residence of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt in Hartford,
Connecticut, known as ‘‘Armsmear’’, is a national historic land-
mark, and the distinctive Colt factory is a prominent feature
of the Hartford, Connecticut, skyline;
(4) the Colt legacy is not only about firearms, but also
about industrial innovation and the development of technology
that would change the way of life in the United States,
including—
(A) the development of telegraph technology; and
(B) advancements in jet engine technology by Francis
Pratt and Amos Whitney, who served as apprentices at
Colt;
(5) Coltsville—
(A) set the standard for excellence during the Indus-
trial Revolution; and
(B) continues to prove significant—
(i) as a place in which people of the United States
can learn about that important period in history; and
(ii) by reason of the close proximity of Coltsville
to the Mark Twain House, Trinity College, Old North
Cemetery, 
and 
many 
historic 
homesteads 
and
architecturally renowned buildings;
(6) in 1998, the National Park Service conducted a special
resource reconnaissance study of the Connecticut River Valley
to evaluate the significance of precision manufacturing sites;
and
Colt
Manufacturing
Company.
Coltsville Study
Act of 2003.
Oct. 3, 2003
[S. 233]
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117 STAT. 1164
PUBLIC LAW 108–94—OCT. 3, 2003
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 233:
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 108–252 (Comm. on Resources).
SENATE REPORTS: No. 108–9 (Comm. on Energy and Natural Resources).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 149 (2003):
Mar. 4, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 23, considered and passed House.
(7) the report on the study stated that—
(A) no other region of the United States contains an
equal concentration of resources relating to the precision
manufacturing theme that began with firearms production;
(B) properties relating to precision manufacturing
encompass more than merely factories; and
(C) further study, which should be undertaken, may
recommend inclusion of churches and other social institu-
tions.
SEC. 3. STUDY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 3 years after the date on
which funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary
of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall
complete a study of the site in the State of Connecticut commonly
known as ‘‘Coltsville’’ to evaluate—
(1) the national significance of the site and surrounding
area;
(2) the suitability and feasibility of designating the site
and surrounding area as a unit of the National Park System;
and
(3) the importance of the site to the history of precision
manufacturing.
(b) APPLICABLE LAW.—The study required under subsection
(a) shall be conducted in accordance with Public Law 91–383 (16
U.S.C. 1a–1 et seq.).
SEC. 4. REPORT.
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the study
under section 3(a) is completed, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report
that describes—
(1) the findings of the study; and
(2) any conclusions and recommendations of the Secretary.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are
necessary to carry out this Act.
Approved October 3, 2003.
Deadline.
Deadline.
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