New Milford

“Gateway to Litchfield County,” they call New Milford, Connecticut. But what gateway did it guard? And what stories lie hidden within its borders? New Milford’s history stretches back long before the arrival of English colonists. The Wawyachtonoc people, a Mahican-affiliated tribe, called this area home. Their village, Weantinock, thrived along the Housatonic River. They cultivated corn, squash, beans, and tobacco. They also fished in the abundant freshwater rivers and streams. Imagine their lives here, intimately connected to the land, centuries before New Milford became the town we know today. In 1707, the landscape began to change. John Noble Sr. and his young daughter, Sarah, arrived from Massachusetts, becoming New Milford’s first English settlers. A school now bears Sarah Noble’s name, a testament to her pioneering spirit. More families followed, drawn by the promise of a new life. By 1712, New Milford was officially established. The new community quickly sought spiritual guidance, ordaining Daniel Boardman as minister of the Congregational Church in 1716. New Milford also played a role in the American Revolution. Roger Sherman, a New Milford resident before moving to New Haven, signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The town itself contributed significantly to the war effort, sending a large number of men to fight for independence. New Milford’s industry blossomed in the late 19th century. Factories churned out buttons, paint, hats, and furniture. Tobacco became a dominant crop, filling warehouses that dotted the landscape. Today, remnants of this rich history remain. You can visit the site of the Carl F. Schoverling Tobacco Warehouse or the E. A. Wildman & Co. Tobacco Warehouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And New Milford is far more than its past. It’s a vibrant town nestled on the shores of Candlewood Lake, with the Housatonic River winding through its heart. It boasts the longest town green in Connecticut, a gathering place for the community. New Milford is a place where history and nature intertwine, offering a glimpse into the past and a promise for the future.