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Stratford, Connecticut: Birthplace of the American Helicopter

Stratford, Connecticut

Pictures from Stratford

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Stratford Point Lighthouse Boothe Memorial Park Clock Tower Captain David Judson House

Stratford was settled in 1639 by Rev. Adam Blakeman and William Beardsley with a group of families, and by April 13, 1643 the growing settlement was known as Stratford, honoring Stratford-upon-Avon; the Paugussett had called the place Cupheag. Stratford's original colonial land grant was far larger than today's town, including territory that later became Trumbull, Shelton, Monroe and part of Bridgeport. Oystering and shipbuilding were the early industries, later giving way to manufacturing. Stratford is recognized as the birthplace of the American helicopter industry: Igor Sikorsky's VS-300, the world's first practical helicopter, flew here on September 14, 1939, and every Marine One presidential helicopter has been built in Stratford since 1957. Stratford's railroad station opened December 25, 1848; the same depot building now also houses the National Helicopter Museum.

  1. A 32-acre former homestead of eccentric buildings.

  2. Free museum inside the historic 1848 depot.

  3. Colonial-era house museums.

  4. A coastal refuge unit and Important Bird Area.

  5. One of Connecticut's largest craft breweries.

  6. Counter-service food on the brewery campus.

  7. Two Roads' experimental brewhouse.

  8. A Connecticut-owned burger-and-diner group.

Birthplace of the American helicopter

Igor Sikorsky's tethered September 14, 1939 flight of the VS-300 in Stratford is credited as the world's first practical helicopter; the aircraft's first free flight followed on May 13, 1940. Every Marine One presidential helicopter has been manufactured in Stratford since 1957, continuing Sikorsky's legacy. The American Shakespeare Theatre, an 1,100-seat house that opened in 1955 and drew major stage actors, ceased operations in the mid-1980s and burned down in 2019 — it no longer hosts performances. Two Roads Brewing Company, one of Connecticut's largest craft breweries, anchors a multi-venue campus on Stratford Avenue that also includes a separate experimental brewhouse and a food hall.

Getting there

Stratford sits on Long Island Sound between Bridgeport and Milford, reached by car on I-95, US Route 1 or the Merritt Parkway. Metro-North's New Haven Line stops at Stratford station, 2480 Main Street, with 294 parking spaces; adjacent stations are Bridgeport toward Grand Central and Milford toward New Haven. Shore Line East, as of 2026, runs only between New Haven and New London and does not stop in Stratford. Amtrak does not stop at Stratford either — the nearest Amtrak service is at Bridgeport and New Haven on the Northeast Corridor.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Stratford?
By car on I-95, US Route 1 or the Merritt Parkway, or by train — Metro-North's New Haven Line stops at Stratford station, 2480 Main Street, between Bridgeport and Milford.
Is there Amtrak or Shore Line East service in Stratford?
No. Amtrak does not stop in Stratford (nearest is Bridgeport or New Haven), and Shore Line East runs only between New Haven and New London as of 2026.
What is the National Helicopter Museum?
A free museum inside Stratford's historic 1848 railroad depot, with a model of the town's 1939 first helicopter flight and an actual Sikorsky S-76 cockpit. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 1-4 p.m., Memorial Day through mid-October.
Is there a hotel in Stratford?
No lodging inside Stratford could be verified. The nearest confirmed option is the Delamar Southport, about a dozen miles west.

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