SENIORS TRAVEL THROUGH CONNECTICUT



Seniors Slip Into Newington

newington.connecticut..the.best.newington.in.the.world

So why Newington? I wrote a series of language websites and am able to see where folks who access each site are from. And there it was, a senior from Newington, Connecticut, a town I had never heard of. So it was due a blog.

With a population of 30,000, this town in Hartford County is bordered by the capital city of Hartford just to the north.

Newington’s history goes back over 300 years, when it was a part of Wethersfield. Woodcutters were sent to Newington in the 1600s to harvest timber. The area was favored by settlers with its level land that was rich with glacial deposits.

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The community was legally named Newington by the General Assembly in 1721. This name, according to some sources, meant the “new town in the meadow.” It was officially incorporated as a town in 1871.

Seniors Enjoy Waterfall Festival

Today the local Chamber of Commerce notes that…“This charming suburb nestled between Hartford and New Britain offers all the key elements to develop a successful business – a strong town government, a strong community, a strong Chamber, appealing amenities and a strategic location.”

Newington is home to the famed Mill Pond Falls, near the center of town. The Falls is celebrated each fall during the Newington Waterfall Festival, an annual event held during late September on Market Square.

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Market Square’s pavement magically transforms into a colorful art gallery by artists young and old. The event has grown from 20 vendors to over 72 and continues to grow each year as the festival is becoming more popular attracting visitors and residents from surrounding Connecticut communities.

 Seniors Discover Smallest Natural Waterfall

The town seal depicts Mill Pond Falls, named for a sawmill that was built there in 1860. The 16-foot (4.9 m) high falls, located in central Newington at Mill Pond Park, is the smallest natural waterfall in the country.

A walking path that encircles Mill Pond includes a footbridge which crosses over the waterfall. There is also an observation area with benches at the base of the falls. The park is popular with local residents as a place to walk dogs, ice skate, jog, and picnic.

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This senior enjoys visiting National Historic Landmarks and Newington has a couple of masterpieces that include the Gen. Martin Kellogg House built in 1808 and the Willard Homestead built earlier in 1730.

The architectural centerpiece of Newington Junction is the Willard Homestead. The National Iwo Jima Monument on Ella Grasso Blvd is also worth a visit.

The historic section of town focuses on Newington Junction.  The name of the area refers to the railroad junction where two railroad lines intersect.  So if you enjoy touring old houses, stop by Newington and while you are in Hartford County, consider visiting a series of sites that are all on the National Register of Historic Places.

So on your drive through the east coast, stop by Newington and enjoy. -jeb

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