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Farmington, Connecticut: Grand Central Station of the Underground Railroad

Farmington, Connecticut

Pictures from Farmington

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Hill-Stead Museum Farmington Historic District Farmington River Trail, Unionville

Farmington was settled in June 1640 by English colonists from Hartford on land the Tunxis people called Tunxis Sepus, or "bend of the little river"; the town and river took their present name at incorporation in December 1645. The Farmington Canal, linking New Haven and Northampton, Massachusetts, operated along the river's eastern bank from 1828 to 1848, and its corridor is now a recreational rail-trail. In the 1800s, Farmington became known as the "Grand Central Station" of Connecticut's Underground Railroad. After the 1841 Amistad trial, 38 Mende Africans and Cinqué, leader of the shipboard revolt, were housed and educated in Farmington while residents raised funds for their return to Africa; First Church of Christ, Congregational, established in 1652, commemorates the connection in its Amistad Hall. Educational reformer Sarah Porter founded Miss Porter's School, the girls' preparatory school whose alumnae include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, in the village center in 1843.

  1. A 1901 mansion with Impressionist paintings and a sunken garden.

  2. A circa-1720 National Historic Landmark living-history museum.

  3. An 81-mile rail-trail on the old canal corridor to Massachusetts.

  4. A 1652 meetinghouse with Amistad Hall commemorating the 1841 history.

  5. Walking tour of Farmington's Underground Railroad and Amistad sites.

  6. A five-time Wine Spectator Award of Excellence Italian bistro.

  7. Craft beer and weekly specials on Farmington Avenue.

  8. The Farmington Inn's complimentary guest-breakfast café.

  9. The village's boutique inn near Routes 4 and 10.

Tunxis Sepus to the Underground Railroad

Farmington was settled in June 1640 by English colonists from Hartford on land the Tunxis people called Tunxis Sepus, 'bend of the little river'; the town and river took their present name at incorporation in December 1645. The Farmington Canal operated along the river's eastern bank from 1828 to 1848, linking New Haven with Northampton, Massachusetts, and its corridor is now the 81-mile Farmington Canal Heritage Trail. In the 1800s, Farmington became known as the 'Grand Central Station' of Connecticut's Underground Railroad, and after the 1841 Amistad trial, 38 Mende Africans and Cinqué, leader of the shipboard revolt, were housed and educated in town while residents raised funds for their return to Africa — a history First Church of Christ, Congregational commemorates in its Amistad Hall, and the Farmington Historical Society retraces on its Amistad walking tour. Sarah Porter founded Miss Porter's School, whose alumnae include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, in the village center in 1843.

Getting there

Farmington is a drive-to destination on Interstate 84, about 10 miles west of Hartford, reached via I-84's Farmington interchanges and state Routes 4, 10, and 177, plus US Route 6. There is no train station in town, so rail travelers take Amtrak or the CTrail Hartford Line to Hartford Union Station and drive or cab the last stretch.

Hill-Stead, the Canal Trail, and dinner on the Avenue

Hill-Stead Museum, a 1901 Colonial Revival mansion designed by pioneering architect Theodate Pope Riddle, hangs Impressionist paintings by Monet, Degas, Manet, Whistler, and Cassatt across 152 hilltop acres, with a Beatrix Farrand sunken garden that hosts the summer-long Sunken Garden Poetry Festival. The circa-1720 Stanley-Whitman House, a National Historic Landmark near the village center, interprets early colonial life with period gardens and an orchard. For food, Piccolo Arancio and Victoria's Café sit beside the Farmington Inn on Farmington Avenue, with Wood-n-Tap Bar & Grill down the road for craft beer and weekly specials; the Farmington Inn & Suites itself, near the junction of Routes 4 and 10, is the village's boutique hotel.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Farmington?
Farmington sits on I-84 about 10 miles west of Hartford, via the Farmington interchanges and state Routes 4, 10, and 177. There's no train station in town; rail travelers use Amtrak or the CTrail Hartford Line to Hartford Union Station.
What is Hill-Stead Museum?
A 1901 Colonial Revival mansion designed by Theodate Pope Riddle, with Impressionist paintings by Monet, Degas, Manet, Whistler, and Cassatt on 152 acres, plus a Beatrix Farrand sunken garden. Open Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
What is Farmington's Amistad connection?
After the 1841 Amistad trial, 38 Mende Africans and Cinqué were housed and educated in Farmington while residents raised funds for their return to Africa. First Church of Christ, Congregational and the Farmington Historical Society's walking tour both commemorate the history.
What is Miss Porter's School?
A girls' preparatory school founded in the village center in 1843 by educational reformer Sarah Porter; alumnae include Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.
Where can I eat and stay in Farmington?
Piccolo Arancio is a longtime Italian bistro next to the Farmington Inn & Suites, with Wood-n-Tap Bar & Grill for craft beer down Farmington Avenue. The Farmington Inn & Suites, near Routes 4 and 10, is the village's boutique hotel, with Victoria's Café serving guests breakfast on site.

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