Cornwall
“The hills of little Cornwall, Themselves are dreams.”
Mark Van Doren
Set in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains in Litchfield County, Cornwall, Connecticut is named after the county of Cornwall in England. Incorporated in 1740, nearly four decades before the United States declared its independence, the town encompasses three distinct townships: Cornwall Bridge, Cornwall Village and West Cornwall.
Cornwall has long been known as the “Home of the Covered Bridge,” which has spanned the Housatonic River since 1864. One of only three surviving covered bridges in Connecticut, the bridge is a popular tourist destination and among the most-photographed locations in the state. The landscape includes a vast amount of forested land, much of it protected, including hundreds of acres of Mohawk State Forest and ski area, resulting in Cornwall often being called the “Greenest Town in Connecticut.”
Modern-day Cornwall continues to reflect its rural farming character while being home to some of the leading arts, artisans, writers and entrepreneurs of our day.
Calhoun relatives and friends ice skating on Pine Street near Bacon’s house.
Explore
With three quaint townships, a covered bridge, hills to roam and mountains to ski – Cornwall offers a wealth of places to explore and connect.
West Cornwall Covered Bridge
Cornwall Historical Society
The Cornwall Library
Swimming
Fishing
Canoeing, Rafting & Kayaking
Cycling
Shopping
Eating
Year-round Hiking Trails
Mohawk Mountain Trail
Appalachian Trail
Trinity Riverside Trail
Cathedral Pines
Mattatuck Trail
Pine Knob Loop Trail
Winter
Mohawk Mountain Ski Area
Annual events
Cornwall Artists Open Studio - August 31, 2024
Cornwall is home to a vibrant arts scene with many artists living and working from this corner of the Litchfield Hills. During the open studio, participating artists open their creative spaces and show their work and their processes to the public. The tour is free to the public, click here for the map and details.
Cornwall Agricultural Fair - September 2024
The 32nd annual Cornwall Agricultural Fair will take place this September on the Cornwall Village Green. Dertails to come.
Run Wag 5K - October 2024
The premier human/dog race in the region, the Run & Wag 5K offers runners, walkers and their canine companions a great day in the Cornwall Valley with food, ice cream, live local music and family fun for all!
Clay Way Studio Tour - October 19-20, 2024
A tour of the great clay studios in western Connecticut and beyond. 2 days. 9 studios, 26 artists. Details to here.
The annual Newcomers’ Tea - October 2024
Hosted by The Cornwall Assocation to warmly welcome new residents, tell them a bit about town and introduce them to fellow Cornwallians including town and civic leaders.
Music Mountain - June - September 2024
America's oldest continuing summer chamber music festival located on 120 acres, and the concert hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Although a Falls Viallge zipcode, Music Mountain is right in our backyard. Details to come.
The Twelve Days of Christmas - December, 2024
The sidewalks of picturesque West Cornwall transform into a walking art gallery as artists create unique interpretations of the timeless 12 Days of Christmas holiday rhyme. Details to come.
Books & Blooms - June 2025
A two part weekend event featuring a speaker Friday evening and multiple gardens to tour on Saturday.
Cornwall Woman’s Society Rummage Sale - July 2025
The annual rummage sale is legendary for its quality and variety. This event supports the Woman’s Society Scholarship program, as well as provides financial support for local, state and national organizations serving health, education and emergency needs.
Cornwall Days - August 2024
A fun-filled, arts and music-packed weekend with activities for everyone. The weekend's big events include the beloved Rose Algrant Art Show and Taste of Cornwall. And new this year is an outdoor family movie night hosted by Trinity Retreat Center. Additional events include live music, sales and specials at local businesses, and more. Details from 2024 event here.
The Rose Algrant Art Show - August 2024
An exhibit of works in all media by artists from Cornwall, Connecticut over the age of 18. The 2021 Show was held in August at the Cornwall Consolidated School. 58 artists participated and $6933 was given to the Cornwall Woman’s Society Scholarship Fund.
Cornwall House Tour - TBD
Cornwall is filled with magical homes dating from the 18th century to today. Each year, select residents open their homes for a tour so visitors can catch a glimpse of the design and architecture hidden behind the private walls.
Shop
CLARKE OUTDOORS
Rent canoes, kayaks, and rafts to ride the Housatonic River.
COVERED BRIDGE ELECTRIC BIKE
Electric Bike Sales & Rentals 100′ from the West Cornwall Covered Bridge.
CORNWALL BRIDGE POTTERY
Founded in 1974, has a large selection of woodfired pots for everyday use, as well as high quality, lamps, planters, plates, mugs and bowls.
CORNWALL MARKET
Three kitchens: one for coffee, eggs, and sandwiches; a second with breads, croissants, and other baked goods; and a third called “the Chocolate Room.”
CORNWALL PACKAGE STORE
A Cornwall Bridge institution since 1938 specializing in over 99 brands of beer and a large selection of wines to quench the thirst of Appalachian Trail hikers, dinner guests or picnickers.
HOUSATONIC ART & FRAME
Located in Cornwall Bridge, offers collectible yet affordable fine art and posters coupled with mid-to-high-end custom framing at reasonable prices.
PINK HOUSE PANTRY
Coming spring 2024.
IAN INGERSOLL
A furniture shop with a contemporary guild of craftsmen who individually-handcraft each piece. Custom design work available.
JANE HEROLD POTTERY
Jane Herold Pottery combines the warmth and heart of hand thrown, wood fired pottery with the strength and elegance of classic form and simple but energetic decoration.
THE LOCAL
The Local sells all local goods to the public. Profits flow back to the farmers, artists, artisans, cooks and craftspeople who live and work in Cornwall.
MICHAEL TRAPP
Dealer in antiques & architectural fragments, who also runs an interior & garden design business. His highly individual style: juxtaposing old with older to create a timeless environment is a reflection of an aesthetic that permeates the way he lives and works.
NORTHEAST BUILDING SUPPLY
Northeast Building Supply of Cornwall Bridge features a complete selection of tools to suit any job and a wide selection of houseware items. You will also find the lawn and garden center, perfect for landscapers and home gardening enthusiasts.
PLAID ROOSTER
The freshest all-natural soy candles you can buy. Handmade in Connecticut. After hours private candle making parties
and couples candlelit sip & pour date nights by reservation.
SOUTERRAIN GALLERY
Exhibit space & venue for artists of all kinds. Exhibits focus on local area artists sharing their love and pride of inhabiting this part of the world. The gallery is an extension of The Wish House,
THE UNION
The Union is a high speed internet venue where people can come and conduct zoom calls, meet socially distanced or hold band practice! During this time we are reservation only but hope in the future to be a place where people with lap tops can gather and collaborate.
THE WISH HOUSE
A diverse selection to suit any taste. Clothing, home accents, kitchenware, textiles and jewelry may be the handiwork of a local artisan or a discovery sourced from across the globe by the shop’s owner.
HOUSATONIC RUG SHOP
Established in 1975, this Cornwall Bridge mainstay has been providing new and antique floor coverings to northwest Connecticut residents for over 40 years. They also supply tile and other design centric building supplies.
IVY’S COLLECTIVE
Antiques and estate pop-up sales with a rotating collection of true gems. Located on scenic Route 7 at the junction of Cornwall Bridge and Sharon, Connecticut.
MACAIRE + KRISTOPH
Vintage and antique pieces set in a 19th century building in West Cornwall. Design and interior services also available,
SUMAC HEALTH & WELLNESS
Certified Clinical Herbalist, Flower Essence Practitioner and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach providing natural herbs, teas and remedies.
Farmstands
Cornwall Co-op Farm Market
Offering a large selection of locally produced products from local farmers including meat, produce, plants, and other local products. Located on the town green across from town hall, the market is seasonable and usually runs from May to October.
The Original Farmer’s Market
Seasonal farmers market based in West Cornwall offering produce and other local farm and artisan products. The market is seasonable and usually runs from June to October.
eat
CALF & CLOVER CREAMERY
An honor system, self serve farm store regularly stocked with dairy, variety of cuts for meat as well as honey, maple syrup, lacto-fermented products, Lyric Hill goat milk soaps and more.
CORNWALL MARKET
Three kitchens: one for coffee, eggs, and sandwiches; a second with breads, croissants, and other baked goods; and a third called “the Chocolate Room.”
THE PINK HOUSE
Farm to table dishes from Michelin chef Gabe McMackin and executive chef Cedric Durand. Open Thursdays thru Mondays for dinner. Reservations availble through Resi.
THE LOCAL
Looking to cook at home or at your home-stay? The Local sells produce, meats and prepared meals from local farmers and cooks who live and work in Cornwall
RSVP
Operated by Chef Guy Birster and co-owner Charles Cilona, who live in West Cornwall, just yards from their restaurant. The intimate 20-seat restaurant is a two-man operation. Guy handles the cuisine; Charles greets and serves the guests.
FOOD FOR FRIENDS
Food truck owned and operated by Cornwallian Barbara Bishop featuring sandwiches, sweets and drinks perfect for picnicking at the covered bridge or strolling the sites and shops of West Cornwall
BLUE GATE FARMS
Artisnal breads and pastries made fresh daily.
Stay
HOTEL
CORNWALL INN
All stress is checked at the door. Sit by the meandering stream, relax by the fireplace, or enjoy a short scenic drive to nearby quaint towns. Our charming country inn is also the perfect place for your private catered party or event.
HITCHING POST COUNTRY MOTEL
Nestled in the picturesque northwest corner of Connecticut, bordering the Appalachian Trail, the motel has graced Litchfield County with a continuous tradition of hospitality.
HOME-STAY
Hosted by Thomas
Hosted by Lucy
Hosted by Amelia
Hosted by Ana
Hosted by Elena
Hosted by Lucy
Hosted by Lawrence & Karen
Hosted by Katya
Hosted by Tamara
Hosted by Stewart
Hosted by Marilyn
Hosted by Maria
Hosted by Stacey
Hosted by Susie
Mohawk Manor
Hosted by Ruth
Hosted by Bob
Hosted by Noushin
Hosted by Gwen & Patrice
Hosted by Ben
LIVE
Cornwall represents the best of both worlds: a small-town lifestyle and a vibrant cultural scene. Set in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains in rural Litchfield County, our town is blessed with picturesque natural surroundings. Stunning farmland, rolling hills, and quiet country roads combine with historic architecture to give Cornwall that quintessential New England vibe and a laid-back atmosphere to live, work, and play.
Today, Cornwall is thriving with people working from home, building new businesses and collaborating on civic infrastructure.
For Sale
WORK
Entrepreneurial Spirit
With over 100 local businesses from farming and landscaping to cultinary and retail, Cornwall is a the perfect small-town setting for any local business.
Cornwall is making business-friendly investments, including free downtown wifi and co-working space, as well as West Cornwall septic system improvements and zoning changes to encourage work-from-home.
The Cornwall Economic Comission is always hard at work thinking about how to dirve our local eonomy, and would love to hear your thughts and ideas. Email us at cornwallctedc@gmail.com.
Press
