Preston

About Preston

Tucked into the quiet woodlands of New London County, Preston is a small, unhurried town with deep roots and a strong sense of place. Straddling the Quinebaug River in southeastern Connecticut, it offers the kind of rural charm that feels genuinely earned — centuries of history, tight-knit villages, and landscapes that invite you to slow down.

What to Know

• The Preston City Historic District preserves a remarkably intact 19th-century village streetscape, making it a rewarding destination for history lovers and photographers alike.
• The Long Society Meeting House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands as one of Connecticut's treasured examples of early New England ecclesiastical architecture.
• Preston is home to the former Norwich State Hospital grounds — a sprawling, atmospheric property that has drawn significant interest for redevelopment over the years.
• In a memorable footnote to aviation history, an Air France Super Constellation made an emergency crash-landing in a Preston farm field in 1954 — with no casualties.
• The town includes three distinct historic villages: Preston City, Long Society, and Poquetanuck, each with its own quiet character.

History

Preston was incorporated in 1687, established after Thomas Parke, Thomas Tracy, and fellow settlers petitioned the Connecticut General Court for a plantation east of Norwich. The land was confirmed by Owaneco, son of the great Mohegan sachem Uncas, and the town was named for Preston, Lancashire, England. Early industries included shoemaking, metalsmithing, shipbuilding, and brickmaking.

Community & Living

Preston attracts residents who value open space, historical character, and a genuine small-town atmosphere without sacrificing access to the broader southeastern Connecticut region. Neighbors tend to know each other, and the town's agricultural heritage still shapes its identity. It's the kind of place where the pace is intentional and the surroundings reward those who pay attention.