After he explored this region in 1614 , Dutch fur traders sailed up the Connecticut River ( Named Versche Rivier by the Dutch ) and built a fort near present-day Hartford , which they called `` House of Hope '' ( Dutch : Huys de Hoop ) . After he explored this region in 1614 , Dutch fur traders sailed up the Connecticut River ( then known by the Dutch as Versche Rivierâ '' '' Fresh River '' ) and built a fort at Dutch Point in what is present-day Hartford , which they called `` House of Hope '' .