Discover Preston: History in Preston City

Preston invites visitors to discover history not only in individual buildings, but also in a well-established townscape that has developed over time. At its center is Preston City: the Preston City Historic District encompasses residential, institutional, and commercial buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as several historic sites. At the same time, the district has a high concentration of historically significant buildings and sites dating from the late 17th through the 20th century. For families and travelers interested in culture, this creates a destination that can be explored through specific buildings, monuments, and its rural character.

Historic Buildings and a Preserved Townscape

The Preston City Historic District remains a rural transportation hub with little modern overdevelopment. Well-preserved homes and institutional buildings define its character. Those who value history and architecture when traveling can connect different periods and functions here without losing sight of the actual townscape.

The poorhouse stands at the southern boundary of the district. Its northern section was built in the early 18th century by Ephraim Jones in 1733. The town added the southern section in 1807 as a poorhouse, also known as a workhouse. The building illustrates how the use of historic structures could change over time without requiring any additional historical interpretation.

The Baptist Church holds a prominent position among the commercial and institutional buildings in the center. It was built in 1812. In 1832, it was rotated to its present orientation so that the gable faced Route 164. At that time, the three-stage steeple and the belfry with its pyramidal roof were also added. The church is visible from almost everywhere in Preston City, providing a clear point of orientation within the historic area.

Monuments, a Park, and Rural Details

Smaller, particularly vivid reminders are also part of Preston City’s historic character. The Old Town Pound on Amos Road is an enclosure surrounded by stone walls. The Civil War Monument and the Mott Memorial mark the site of the home of General Samuel Mott, who is regarded in Preston City as a hero of the American Revolutionary War.

Downer-Doane Memorial Park is located at the southwest corner of Shetucket Turnpike and Route 164 and is part of the Preston City Historic District. Route 164 through Preston City is designated as a Connecticut Scenic Road. Travelers who like to structure their trips around local history, road layouts, and individual landmarks will find several specific points of reference for planning.

Churches and a Glimpse into Earlier Working Life

Religious history is also part of the town’s character. Preston City Congregational Church offers worship services, Bible study, fellowship, and Sunday school programs. For visitors interested in church traditions and the social life of a community, it complements the historic architecture with another way to explore the area.

The blacksmith shop in the Preston City Historic District was built by Morrison Robbins in 1871 and served as a demonstration museum. Together with the homes, churches, and monuments, it shows how varied the functions of historic buildings in Preston City were. This makes it possible to shape a stay around personal interests: sometimes focusing more on architecture and religious buildings, and at other times on local history and earlier working life.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Travel Plans?

If you are looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Preston, it is worth deciding on the focus of your trip before making a selection. If you want to place historic buildings, churches, and monuments at the center of your visit, the Preston City Historic District should be the starting point for your itinerary planning. If you also want to include Route 164, which is designated as a Connecticut Scenic Road, this road designation can likewise be considered when preparing your trip. The key factor is less the general type of accommodation than which aspects of Preston you would like to discover together.

For families, a flexible itinerary can work well: one day can be devoted to historic buildings and monuments, while other travelers may want to focus specifically on the churches, the Old Town Pound, or the history of the blacksmith shop. The individual topics can be selected independently, allowing different interests within a travel group to be accommodated.

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Preston, you can also find North Stonington, Old Lyme, Waterford, East Lyme, Uncasville, Norwich, Lisbon, and Ledyard.

For the broader travel overview: New London.