Many of Connecticut’s cities and small towns have interesting roots in the colonial history of the United States. The city of Norwich, located at the confluence of two rivers that become the Thames River, has an unusually fascinating economic and political history. Norwich  experienced both conflict and collaboration with the Native American tribes of the region, periods of great prosperity as a center of commerce, transportation, and wealth during the 1700s and 1800s; downturns in the region’s economy; and opportunities for progress and revitalization in the 21st century. Norwich has distinctive outdoor experiences, historical sites, recreation and entertainment activities, and other attractions that make it a worthwhile place to visit for travelers and for families to live.

SHORT HISTORY OF THE CITY

The colonial settlement of the Norwich area took place in 1659 when a group from the Saybrook area made plans to establish a village on land purchased from the local Mohegan tribe described as a “nine mile square.” Landing at a site near the base of Yantic Falls, they selected a location now known as the Norwichtown Green as the center for the settlement. The site was flat but elevated over the surrounding meadows and wetlands. It also included a small mountain that became known as the Meeting House Rocks with views in all directions. The Norwich community remained based at the Norwichtown Green for the first few decades. Early buildings constructed around the Green included a church, post office, taverns, schools, a jail, shops for local tradesmen, and private dwellings. Many of these buildings remain intact today and feature plaques proudly stating their origins. 

Within a few decades, Norwich’s residents became focused on trade and commerce. This led to the establishment of a public landing at the head of the Thames River known as Chelsea Landing. Throughout the 1700s and during the American Revolution, Norwich was a key seaport importing goods from the West Indies and England, while shipping out lumber and farm products from the interior. Growing tensions with England led locals to begin manufacturing some of their own goods, and several Norwich residents including Samuel Huntington played important roles in the American Revolution. During that time, Norwich was the second largest city in Connecticut and by some accounts it had the 12th largest population in the colonies. 

Local waterways were crucial to Norwich’s success after the Revolution and during the 1800s for three reasons. First, there were no bridges across the wide Thames River. Norwich was the first point where the river could be crossed by horse or carriage, and later by rail. Second, there was enough skilled labor and lumber products in the area to build merchant vessels, whaling ships, and steamboats in the city. Third, the rivers encouraged industrialists to build mills and use waterpower and the rivers for the manufacture and shipment of goods. Local mill workers including many European immigrants produced textiles, guns, thermos products, and other wares for a growing country. Wealthy mill owners built fine mansions, churches and cathedrals, and public institutions during the Gilded Age that line the city’s major thoroughfares to this day. 

The gradual shift to a modern economy in the 20th century caused a downturn in Norwich’s fortunes that took several generations to overcome. Nevertheless, Norwich remains the largest city in Eastern Connecticut in 2025 and has a population of over 40,000. Its economy is focused on three main sectors: (1)  defense and technology jobs related to the construction of the nation’s submarine fleet at General Dynamics and military operations at the Naval Submarine Base on the Thames River; (2 ) hospitality and gaming services for two of the eight biggest resort casinos in the world located nearby and known as Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino; and (3) jobs at other major employers based at the City’s business parks, health care institutions, and educational centers  The opportunities and assets available in Norwich have allowed it to become one of the best places in New England for families to find affordable housing and enjoy easy access to some unique historic places, recreation and entertainment opportunities, and quality education. The city has a lot to offer both young workers seeking a place to settle down and travelers looking for a relaxing vacation spot.

For a well-rounded visit to Norwich, the following sites and activities are worth considering:

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES

Yantic Falls and Uncas Leap Heritage Park- For generations, residents have visited the dramatic natural falls that cause the lazy waters of the Yantic River to cascade downward more than forty feet through a rocky gorge and past an industrial mill to the head of the Thames River in Chelsea Harbor. During the spring melt and periods of heavy rainfall, the resulting waterfall is powerful and beautiful Traditionally, the best way to view the falls was to cross over a concrete pedestrian walkway located about twenty feet back from the crest next to a railroad crossing. From there, you could watch the water disappear down between the black ledges on both sides of the river and reemerge farther down the gorge. 

The location is also special because of its ties to a legend of the Mohegan Indian Tribe and the water works that once served the adjacent mills. Recognizing the distinctive character of the area and its potential for attracting visitors and residents, the city cleaned up the area and added a walking trail connecting the downtown harbor to the falls. All these prior efforts came together nicely in 2024, when the city received an American Rescue Plan grant to tear down and modify some unused remnants of the mill and construct the Uncas Leap Heritage Park at the site. The resulting park contains two large viewing platforms jutting out below the falls, a 100-seat stone amphitheater for holding events such as concerts or talks, additional parking areas, and new walkways around the site. 

The natural beauty of the falls is just part of the mystique of this attraction. In 1643, after the Pequot War ended and prior to the colonial settlement of Norwich, tensions and rivalries between the local Mohegan Tribe and its leader Uncas and members of the Narragansett Tribe were high. A legendary battle involving hundreds of warriors from each tribe took place in the Great Plains area about a mile away. The entire background of this battle is unclear. However, a contingent of Narragansett warriors were chased towards the Yantic River and cornered by the gorge. Uncas and his men were familiar with the area. Some Mohegans were able to “leap” over the gorge, but many Narragansetts were not and either fell to their death on the rocks or were captured and killed. The battle settled the preeminence of the Mohegans in the region and Uncas became a renowned tribal leader. 

Uncas died of natural causes in 1730 and a monument to him was built down the street near a reclaimed Mohegan Tribal graveyard. Beginning in the 19th century, a large textile mill was built along the river just below the falls and waterworks to generate power were installed above and below the falls. Mill workers crowded into the adjacent tenements which were converted into modern housing along with the mill itself in the 1980s. The entire area became a National Historic District in 1972.

Mohegan Park- Almost 120 years ago, Norwich leaders decided to gather land in the center of the city to create a municipal park for recreation and the relaxation of residents. It was named Mohegan Park in tribute to the tribe and its famous leader Uncas. By 1934, eighteen residents had donated more than three hundred acres for this purpose including a large body of water known as Spaulding Pond. Today, the park has more than 385 acres of land and features numerous activities set in and around large deciduous forest land. In prior years, the city maintained a small zoo with a bear cage, monkey house, reptile house, and child petting area, but now the friendly animals run free in the woods. 

Special attractions found in Mohegan Park include:

• Trails- There is an extensive system of paved and unpaved trails suitable for hiking, running, and jogging in a pleasant natural environment.

• Spaulding Pond - This large 13-acre pond is up to nineteen feet deep and has two roped off areas that are open for swimming during the summer with lifeguard and bathroom facilities.

• Fishing- The pond is also a state approved trout park which is stocked annually with trout, sunfish, and bass during the fishing season.

• Rose Garden- A landscape architect designed a quality rose garden near the entrance to the park providing a wide variety of rose bushes and benches for relaxation.

• Picnic Areas and Pavilions- There are two large pavilions in the park available for rental by large groups along with picnic tables and grill stands in different sections of the woods. 

• Playgrounds – There are two playgrounds with playscapes in the park for parents and their children to enjoy.

• Other activities- The park recently opened a disc golf course that is open for use by enthusiasts.

Just outside Mohegan Park is one of the city’s primary recreation centers that includes baseball and softball diamonds, four new tennis courts, a soccer and lacrosse field with a cinder track around it for walkers, pickleball courts, and a skate park.

Norwich Marina-   The downtown section of Norwich looks out on a large harbor at the head of the Thames River. Four decades ago, a local businessman worked with the city to turn an unused portion of land adjacent to the harbor into a modern marina and entertainment center. The Marina at American Wharf features attractive brick buildings and its services include dock space for up to 160 vessels including large yachts along with seasonal and transient boat services. Boaters using the marina have access to many amenities such as full utility services, a swimming pool and lockers rooms, picnic areas and laundry rooms, and a full-service seasonal restaurant. Now under new ownership, the marina plans to restore fueling services, install an event tent for weddings and local functions overlooking the harbor, and create a year-round restaurant. 

HISTORIC LOCATIONS

Norwich has some unique places and interesting citizens which give the community great historical significance. 

Old Burial Grounds- Despite the subsequent growth of the city in all directions, the Norwichtown Green remained a peaceful venue used for community festivals, concerts, meetings, and passive recreation. One of the historic sites nearby is the Old Burial Grounds. Consistent with the tradition of Puritan sects and other Protestant groups in New England, Norwich’s founding residents did not establish a cemetery in or around their churches. Instead, they purchased several parcels of land close to the Green for that purpose. The most prominent and enduring burial grounds, off Old Cemetery Lane, were expanded during the 1700s and 1800s to hold several thousand graves marked by more than 1300 gravestones. Many of the remaining stones bear carvings identifying the deceased, but elaborate tombs and carvings were rarely used. 

Samuel Huntington Memorial and Mansion- Samuel Huntington, the city’s most prominent resident, is interred in the Old Burial Grounds. A lawyer, who moved to Norwich in 1761, Huntington’s family and his descendants resided in a striking colonial mansion located at the rear of the graveyard which is still in use as a health care office. An active Patriot and supporter of the American Revolution, Huntington was a delegate to the Continental Congress and signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.

Huntington’s prominence led to his appointment in 1779 as President of the Continental Congress. More important, he also became the First President of the United States in Congress Assembled under the Articles of Confederation in 1781, eight years before George Washington was elected as President of the United States under the Constitution. He later served as both Connecticut’s Governor and the State’s Chief Justice before dying in 1796. A local movement led by Bill Stanley Sr. to recognize Samuel Huntington and other Forgotten Founders who had served as Presidents of the Continental Congress brought new attention to these Patriots. In 2008, funds were raised to restore Huntington’s grave site and build an appropriate memorial wall to him there.

Benedict Arnold Trail-    The footprints of another prominent person can also be found in Norwich. Benedict Arnold, who started as a Revolutionary War hero before becoming one of America’s most infamous traitors, left tracks in Norwich. His family lived in a large house in the city during the 1700s. Arnold’s father was for a time a successful ship Captain and merchant based in Norwich who traded goods with the West Indies and funded his son’s private education. Tragedies including the early death of his mother and the alcoholism of his father led to hard times for Benedict as a young man. He was eventually forced to sell all the family’s assets and move away in 1762. Notwithstanding these difficulties, Arnold experienced military success and suffered serious injuries as one of George Washington’s trusted commanders during the early days of the American Revolution, while leading troops at the battles of Lake Champlain and Saratoga. These events caused General Washington to appoint him as the military governor of Philadelphia. In 1779, he met and married Peggy Shippen, a young woman from a prominent family, but was also dogged by allegations of mismanagement and reprimanded. Collaboration with the British and treason to Washington followed. Near the end of the war in 1781, Arnold led a British force up the Thames River that burned the city of New London and captured a small fort at Groton. He later moved to London with his wife and daughter where he died in ignominy. For years thereafter, Norwich residents rejected any association with the Arnold family and removed the graves and headstones of his father and brother from the Old Burial Grounds. Today, small plaques mark the sites of the Arnold family homestead and the grave of Arnold’s mother in the Old Burial Grounds. 

Leffingwell House Museum- The Leffingwell House is a museum that presents the architecture and furnishings of a New England Colonial home and tavern during the period from 1675 to 1775. Originally constructed as a two-room house, the building evolved over the decades into a tavern frequented by locals and visitors seeking to purchase “rum, tobacco, read newspapers and current events.” An active Patriot, Christopher Leffingwell inherited the Inn and transformed it into an elegant townhome. The Leffingwell House along with interesting artifacts and historical documents from the colonial era are maintained by a non-profit organization known as the Society of the Founders of Norwich which opens it for visitors on weekends and tours for student groups and sponsors special events. 

RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT FACILITES

For a small city, Norwich has a wide range of entertainment and recreation facilities available for visitors and residents to enjoy.

World Class Casinos- The federally recognized Indian reservation of the Mohegan Tribe lies less than one half mile from Norwich’s southern border and the Mashantucket Pequot Indian Tribe reservation lies less than six miles from the city’s eastern border. Both tribes established casinos during the 1990s with over 300,000 square feet of gaming space where gamblers can enjoy slot machines, table games, roulette, race books and sports gambling options. In addition to these traditional gaming activities, both casinos have expanded their operations to feature all forms of hospitality, entertainment, and shopping experiences including shows by A-List musicians and comedians, and sports events. The Foxwoods Resort has over 2,200 hotel rooms and suites in two hotel towers, dozens of specialty restaurants and cafes, a Tanger Outlet Mall with eighty-five stores and luxury goods, two theater venues with a capacity of 1370 and 4,000 guests, and the championship Lake of Isles Golf Course. It is also building the Great Wolf Lodge featuring a water park with multiple pools, water slides, and a four-story water fort. Mohegan Sun has 1,600 hotel rooms and suites in two facilities, a 12,000-seat arena featuring top draw entertainers and WNBA basketball, 100,000 square feet of meeting, ballroom, and exhibition space, and 130,000 square feet of retail space, together with forty different restaurants and dining options. Simply put, there is always something going on in the area for residents and visitors to Norwich.

Dodd Stadium – Norwich is also fortunate to have a minor league baseball stadium that has been the home field for the New York Yankees’ and San Francisco Giants’ Double A teams and the Detroit Tigers’ single A franchise. The city now hosts the Norwich Sea Unicorns, a e baseball team that plays in a summer collegiate league. Built in 1995 and located in the city’s business park, Dodd Stadium features seating for 6,500 fans, eighteen skyboxes and a stadium club, concessions outlets, and other fan amenities. The stadium also hosts festivals, concerts, games by local high schools, and special events such as a Renaissance Fair, Car Shows, and charity shows. 

Other Recreation Facilities- City residents and visitors also make regular use of two other municipal facilities. The Norwich Municipal Ice Rink has an NHL regulation size ice surface where local hockey teams and tournament teams play, and skaters train. Next door is the Norwich Golf Course where local players and visitors get to enjoy an 18-hole course with a challenging design and amenities comparable to New England private country clubs.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS 

Norwich has other institutions and buildings that are unique like these:

Norwich Free Academy and Slater Museum- Norwich has a public education system that covers elementary and middle school students up through eighth grade. High school education for Norwich residents and seven surrounding towns is provided by the Norwich Free Academy known as NFA as well as by area technical and Catholic high schools. NFA was established in 1855 by local citizens seeking to create a free academy for local boys and girls. It is privately run by a volunteer Board of Trustees and funded by tuition payments from sending towns and contributions from the school’s private endowment. NFA’s campus features an array of Gothic style buildings and modern library and science facilities. With a current enrollment of 2,300 students, NFA also attracts many teachers with advanced degrees and highly professional staff members. Another unusual feature of the high school is the Slater Memorial Museum which houses the art and collections of the Slater family along with recreations of Greek and Roman Sculptures. The Museum’s seeks to “display and interpreted the best examples of fine and decorative art, representing a broad range of world cultures. Its permanent exhibits include casts of Classical and Renaissance sculptures, along with East Asian, African, and American art, and an exploration of the varied history of Norwich.”

Ponemah Mills Complex- It is difficult to visualize the grand scale of the hundreds of mills that once produced all kinds of goods for a growing United States in the late 19th and early 20th century until you see the Ponemah Mill Complex in Norwich. This two thousand foot long, six story high mill originally consisted of four connected buildings. It was constructed beginning in 1865 along the Shetucket River in the village of Taftville. The mill became one of the largest in the world and was a leader in the cotton textile industry. At its peak, the Ponemah Mill employed 1,600 workers who often lived in company houses and bought their wares and food in company stores. Gradually, the mill lost business. By 1972, the complex was divided into four separate buildings again and used by different owners as warehouse space or other businesses. Today, an ambitious developer has resurrected the mill into a specular housing complex with 459 apartments completed or under construction so far. The apartments feature lofts, high ceilings, and amenities like a library, fitness center, barbecue grills, and riverfront walkways. The Ponemah Mill and other new housing built in Taftville is generating collateral business and changing Taftville into a majestic gateway to the city.