Kent

About Kent

Tucked into the rolling hills of Litchfield County along the New York border, Kent is one of Connecticut's most beloved small towns — a place where art galleries and working farms share the same quiet country roads. With the Housatonic River running through its heart and the Appalachian Trail threading through its western hills, Kent strikes a rare balance between natural beauty and cultural vitality.

What to Know

• Kent Falls State Park — nicknamed "The Jewel of the Inland Parks" — features a stunning cascade of 17 waterfalls and is one of the most visited natural attractions in the state.
• Macedonia Brook State Park offers over 2,300 acres of trails, camping, and sweeping views of both the Catskill and Taconic Mountains.
• Bull's Bridge is one of only two covered bridges in Connecticut still open to vehicle traffic — a genuine piece of living history.
• Kent is home to three prestigious boarding schools: Kent School, South Kent School, and The Marvelwood School.
• Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once called Kent home.

History

Kent was surveyed in 1737 and formally settled around 1739, taking its name from the county of Kent in England. The town has deep roots in both the iron industry — evidenced by the community of Kent Furnace — and in Native American history, as the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation has been located within town borders since the early colonial era.

Community & Living

Kent is the kind of place where weekenders become year-rounders, drawn in by the galleries, farm stands, and an easy sense of community that's hard to manufacture. Residents take genuine pride in their preserved landscapes and historic character, making it one of the most cherished addresses in the Litchfield Hills.