Essex

About Essex

Tucked along the western bank of the Connecticut River, Essex is one of those rare New England towns that seems to exist slightly outside of time — in the best possible way. With three distinct villages (Essex Village, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton), a thriving arts scene, and a deep maritime soul, it's a place that charms visitors and holds its residents close.

What to Know

• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat is a beloved regional attraction, offering scenic rides through the Connecticut River Valley that are especially magical in fall foliage season
• The Ivoryton Playhouse, one of New England's oldest continuously operating theaters, has hosted legends including Katharine Hepburn and Marlon Brando
• Essex Village's Main Street is routinely ranked among the most beautiful small-town main streets in America, lined with Federal-style architecture and independent shops
• The Connecticut River Museum, perched at the town dock, tells the story of the river's rich cultural and ecological history
• Essex is home to the Valley Shore Child Guidance Center and is served by the highly regarded Region 4 school district

History

Essex holds the unlikely distinction of being one of the only American towns ever attacked by a foreign power — on April 8, 1814, British forces rowed six miles up the Connecticut River under cover of darkness and burned 28 vessels, an economic blow so devastating that historians have called it the "Pearl Harbor" of the War of 1812. Originally known as Potapoug Point, the town was formally incorporated in 1852 and renamed Essex in 1854.

Community & Living

Essex draws people who appreciate quiet beauty, cultural depth, and a genuine sense of community. It's the kind of town where local theater, river kayaking, and a perfect clam chowder are all equally part of the fabric of daily life.