| Greater New Milford represents a cluster of area communities, offering a quality of life we
consider to be among the most desirable in Connecticut. The area, suburban and rural, abounds in
natural beauty and shines as an environmental gem. Each town offers its own uniqueness and
geographic personality, while blending together to create a regional wonder.
Unlike many of its surrounding towns, whose roots are firmly planted in farming, the town
of New Milford encompasses 64.8 square miles of a fine blend of history enhanced by
modernization. Located in Western Connecticut, its bordering towns of Sherman on the west,
Kent and Warren to the north, Washington to the east, and Bridgewater, Brookfield and Roxbury
lining the south, all remain more rural to this day.
In 1880, the population of New Milford stood at 3,000. That figure has risen to an
estimated 30,000 residents according to the Town Clerk in 1998. Most of this growth has
occurred in the last four decades on the heels of new industry coming to town in the late 1950’s.
Although industry has brought modernization to this largest town in Connecticut, New
Milford has retained its deeply seeded historic venue, with a main street shopping district boasting
a quaint village atmosphere of specialty shops, gourmet restaurants, craft shops, and cafes,
designed with a seasonal diversity for enjoyment by people of all ages. The Town of New Milford
is an elixir for every soul.
The recreational assets of Candlewood Lake and Lake Lillinonah coupled with winter
activities in the nearby Berkshires might lead one to believe this is more of a vacation paradise
than the actual family community. New Milford residents are offered a myriad of recreational
programs and special events year round for all age groups. The many local parks, along with a
public golf course, hiking trails, cross country skiing, camping, and boating at nearby state parks
and preservations all provide access to the area’s recreational abundance.
Quality education is a fundamental consideration in any community and New Milford is no
exception. The children are offered three elementary schools - Hill & Plain, Northville, and John
Pettibone School. There is one middle school, Schaghticoke Middle School, serving grades 6 - 8.
New Milford High School serves grades 9 - 12. To meet the increased educational demands on an
ever-growing community, a new high school is being built at Larson Farm which will
accommodate 1,600 total students. Along with the excellent opportunities offered in the public
school system, residents have the option of a private education at The Canterbury School in New
Milford and the Connecticut Conservatory of Performing Arts.
Further learning opportunities can be found at the local library. Prominently located on
the Green is the New Milford Public Library which just celebrated their 100th Anniversary.
Originally established as the Union Library in 1796, its 350 volumes were first located in “public
spirited homes”. In March of 1886, the collection was moved to Town Hall. The original
building, built on property donated by Mr. Egbert Marsh, opened on January 19, 1898, and now
houses the Jr. Library. The adult library and circulation services are located in an addition that
was subsequently built in 1977. The library offices are housed in the 1839 Goodman House, The
entire complex covers 18,684 square feet and boasts exhibit space, and total holdings of 92,045
including books, periodicals, newspapers, record., C.D.s, audio cassettes, videos, a computer,
copy machines and a young adult paperback collection. The library is planning a building
expansion project to be completed by the year 2002.
New Milford is governed by a Mayor, and a nine-member Town Council with meetings
held regularly for budget approval and other pertinent issues.
The health care needs of the community are met by New Milford Hospital’s 85-bed facility
offering state-of-the-an technology in both in-patient and out-patient care. Nearby Danbury
Hospital’s 371-bed capacity also offers residents comprehensive care and treatment alternatives.
A large number of doctors, dentists, and other health care professionals serve the community
along with the local office of the Greater New Milford Visiting Nurse Association, whose caring
staff provide quality care to those whose needs can be accommodated at home. New Milford
boasts its own health and fitness facility, The Club, as well as its own yoga center, Still River
Yoga Center.
Although New Milford has allowed new technology into their community, they
continue to keep history and culture as a vibrant part of life through The Commission on the Arts,
The New Milford Historical Society, Gaylordsville Historical Society, The Creative Arts Center, New Milford TheatreWorks, and
The Merryall Center for the Arts, to name a few. Residents enjoy local and regional art shows,
theater performances, workshops for writing, photography, and varied media exploration along
with special events such as the annual Village Fair Days sponsored by The Greater New Milford
Chamber of Commerce, which offers arts, commercial exhibits, crafts, food, games, regional
storytelling, a tall-tales contest and live music. Other events include fireworks, various parades,
caroling on the Green, and summer concerts ranging from blue grass to classical.
The fire of 1902 could have gutted the enthusiasm and hearts of the residents, and New
Milford could have been a mere shadow of the community it is today, but, with former patriots
such as Roger Sherman in their lineage, the fire merely sparked the smoldering embers of pride.
New Milford has erupted into a vibrant, bustling, ever-growing “hometown” atmosphere that only
a town built on pride can display
New Milford
Zip Code:06776; 06755 (Gaylordsville)
Facts of Interest
Year Town Incorporated: October 1712
Form of Government: Mayor, Town Council
Geographic Area: 64.8 Sq. Miles
Current Population: Est. 40,000 (2004)
Public Safety: Police Dept.
New Milford
Town Hall and Department Information
10 Main Street
New Milford, CT 06776
Area Code 860-355-6000
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