About Essex

See Essex Video from PBS' CT Cultural Treasures

The township of Essex consists of three villages: Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton, each part of the whole yet uniquely different.


We are located half way between New York City and Boston, and a short commute to the capitol city of Hartford.

Our villages were settled around the Falls River, which flows eastwardly from the hills of Ivoryton, through Centerbrook, along Essex Village down to the sparkling Connecticut River. A few short miles from Long Island Sound, Essex is well-known for its beautiful landscapes, majestic trees and gardens, and fascinating architecture. You can view a bit of history in our factory homes of Ivoryton, our churches and factories, and streets lined with Federal, Victorian, and Cape Cod houses. Even our Town Hall dates back to 1892.

Here you'll find a long tradition of benevolence and volunteerism that brings a "can-do" vibrancy to our community, reminiscent of our Yankee past.

We have many cultural, historical and educational attractions as well, from the Essex Steam Train to the Ivoryton Playhouse to the Connecticut River Museum, Connecticut Audubon Ecotravel, and Sailing Masters of 1812 (whose members are attired in the traditional garb of Navy midshipmen of the time period).

Essex is famous for hosting a multitude of parades, from Groundhog Day (with Essex Ed), to the Burning of the Ships Parade (celebrating the 1814 British raid that left 29 ships burning in the harbor). And many others as well. Parades in Essex are a way of life.

Civic groups invigorate our town with community involvement - groups such as the Rotary, Lions Club, Board of Trade, Historical Society, Garden Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and a strong scouting program.

Essex offers an outstanding culinary experience to residents and visitors alike - such hometown originals as the historic 1776 Griswold Inn, the renowned Copper Beech Inn and the Black Seal. For shoppers of all persuasions, we have art galleries, antique businesses, plenty of great shops and boutiques and a beautiful harbor to relax by.

We are proud of our schools. Essex Elementary School offers an outstanding program. We participate in a regional secondary school with our neighbors in Chester and Deep River.

Emergency services are provided by a superbly trained and equipped volunteer fire department and ambulance corps, along with professional police.

We invite you to experience, explore and enjoy the small-town enchantment of Essex, Connecticut.

Warm regards,

Norman Needleman, First Selectman

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