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Newington, Connecticut: World Headquarters of Amateur Radio

Newington, Connecticut

Pictures from Newington

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W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station Mill Pond Falls Main Street, Newington

Newington began as the western farmlands of Wethersfield, used for timber and pasture as early as 1636 and known variously as Pipestaves Swamp, Cow Plain and West Farms before residents requested the name "Newington" in 1721 to denote "the new town in the meadow" — 150 years before it actually became a town. Early settlers made pipe and barrel staves, powered by the Mill Pond falls that still appear on the town seal. When Wethersfield's town meeting refused to fund highway improvements for better railroad access, Newington sought its own government, incorporating as a separate town on July 10, 1871. The Hartford and New Haven Turnpike, built through the future Newington in 1798, is today's Berlin Turnpike, and the railroad arrived in the 1830s. Inventor Hiram Percy Maxim organized the Radio Club of Hartford in April 1914; Newington is today the world headquarters of amateur radio, home to the ARRL and Maxim's memorial station W1AW.

  1. The world headquarters of amateur radio, with self-guided tours.

  2. An 1808 Georgian house with a Farm Tool Museum.

  3. An 1799 house with rare hand-painted wall decorations.

  4. Home to Mill Pond Falls, promoted as America's smallest waterfall.

  5. A ridge trail with a history of reported UFO sightings.

  6. Southern Italian cooking with a wood-fired oven.

  7. "The Home of the Two Foot Hot Dog."

  8. Build-your-own burgers in Newington Center.

  9. A Connecticut-grown Italian-American restaurant.

  10. An American kitchen-and-bar on the Berlin Turnpike.

The world's smallest waterfall and a radio landmark

Mill Pond Falls, a roughly 12-to-16-foot cascade tumbling under a footbridge in Mill Pond Park, is promoted as the smallest natural waterfall in the United States and appears on the town seal, having once powered an early sawmill; the park also has walking paths, a fishing pond and swimming and wading pools. ARRL Headquarters & W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, is "known the world over for its on-air Morse code practice sessions and news bulletins," with Maxim's own desk on display, a rotating museum exhibit and an outdoor self-guided tour; licensed visitors can operate a guest station.

Getting there

Newington is a drive-to suburb just south of Hartford, reached on the Berlin Turnpike (US 5/Route 15) or I-84/I-91 to CT Route 175 (Cedar Street). The town has no passenger rail station, despite the Newington Junction neighborhood's name, though CTfastrak bus rapid transit does serve the town directly at the Cedar Street and Newington Junction stations. The nearest CTrail Hartford Line stops are Hartford Union Station, about 8 miles north, and Berlin. A Hartford Line infill station named "Newington" is planned as a later phase but has not been built.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Newington?
By car via the Berlin Turnpike (US 5/Route 15) or I-84/I-91 to Route 175 — or by CTfastrak bus rapid transit, which stops at Cedar Street and Newington Junction. There is no passenger rail station in Newington; the nearest CTrail Hartford Line stops are Hartford Union Station and Berlin.
Is there a train to Newington?
No, despite the Newington Junction neighborhood's name. A Hartford Line infill station is planned there as a later phase but has not been built. CTfastrak bus rapid transit does serve Newington directly.
What is ARRL Headquarters & W1AW?
The headquarters of the American Radio Relay League and the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, at 225 Main Street. Headquarters and store open Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; W1AW open to visitors 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m. weekdays, closed major holidays. Phone (860) 594-0200.
What is Mill Pond Falls?
A roughly 12-to-16-foot waterfall in Mill Pond Park, promoted as the smallest natural waterfall in the United States. The park also has walking paths, a fishing pond and swimming pools; open dawn to dusk.
Is there a hotel in Newington?
The Holiday Inn Express Hartford-Newington on the Berlin Turnpike is the only Newington hotel found in this research; its current operating status could not be independently confirmed beyond a chamber/property listing, so call ahead before booking.

Some booking links on this page earn Ethos a commission at no extra cost to you.

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