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Willington, Connecticut: Glassworks, a Turnpike Tavern, and Harvard's President

Willington, Connecticut

Pictures from Willington

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Daniel Glazier Tavern Fenton-Ruby Park and Wildlife Preserve

Willington began as a 1720 land patent: the Connecticut General Assembly granted roughly 16,000 acres to nine proprietors, including Roger Wolcott. The town incorporated on May 11, 1727, and a one-mile strip of Ashford was annexed that October. Its name comes from Wellington in Somersetshire, birthplace of Roger Wolcott's grandfather; Wolcott later became the 28th governor of the Connecticut Colony. Willington was a 19th-century glassmaking town — the West Willington Glass Works operated from 1814 to 1872 — and water power drove mills from the earliest settlement onward. The New London, Willimantic and Palmer Railroad reached Willington in 1850 with depots in South and West Willington, though no passenger service remains today. Jared Sparks, born in Willington in 1789, became one of America's first great documentary historians and served as president of Harvard from 1849 to 1853. Hardware magnate Philip Corbin, born here in 1824, built the firm that became New Britain's P&F Corbin Company.

  1. An 1815 turnpike tavern on the Willington green, under restoration.

  2. 305 acres of forest, wetlands and ponds with hiking trails.

  3. 586 protected acres linked to the Blue-Blazed Nipmuck Trail.

  4. A small park on a historic mill-power stream.

  5. Lends museum passes and runs a 'Library of Things.'

  6. Since 1978; national-award-winning Red Potato and Seafood Casino pizzas.

  7. The 1988 sister location on Route 74, beer and wine only.

  8. American-Italian dining with produce from an on-site garden.

Glassworks and a Harvard president

Willington began as a 1720 land patent for roughly 16,000 acres to nine proprietors, including Roger Wolcott, whose grandfather was born in Wellington, Somersetshire, England — the source of the town's name. The town incorporated on May 11, 1727. Its 19th-century economy ran on water power and glass: the West Willington Glass Works turned out bottles, inkwells, tableware and jars from 1814 to 1872, and mills lined the town's brooks and rivers from the earliest settlement. The New London, Willimantic and Palmer Railroad reached Willington in 1850 with depots in South and West Willington, though no passenger service remains today. Two Willington natives left an outsized mark: Jared Sparks, born in 1789, became one of America's first great documentary historians, editing the writings of Washington and Franklin, and served as president of Harvard from 1849 to 1853; hardware magnate Philip Corbin, born in 1824, built the firm that became New Britain's P&F Corbin Company, whose decorative hardware was used in the Connecticut State Capitol.

Getting there

Interstate 84 runs straight through Willington, about 25 miles northeast of Hartford, continuing on toward Boston. US Route 44 heads east toward Providence, with Routes 32, 74 and 320 serving as local corridors. There is no passenger rail station in Willington or anywhere in Tolland County; the nearest train service is the CTrail Hartford Line or Amtrak at Hartford Union Station, roughly 25 miles west-southwest. Metro-North's New Haven Line and Shore Line East serve the coast and do not come near Willington.

Where to eat

Willington Pizza House, open since 1978, is known for its Red Potato and Seafood Casino pizzas and national pizza-competition wins; its sister location, Willington Pizza Too, opened in 1988 on Route 74 with beer and wine rather than a full bar. Hilltop Restaurant Bar & Banquet serves American-Italian fare and weekend breakfast with produce from its own garden. No hotel, inn or B&B could be verified inside Willington; the nearest lodging cluster is reported 12-13 miles west in Vernon, though it could not be independently confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Willington?
By car — Interstate 84 runs straight through town, about 25 miles northeast of Hartford. There is no passenger rail station in Willington or anywhere in Tolland County; the nearest train service is Hartford Union Station.
Is there a train to Willington?
No. Willington's rail history ended long ago — the New London, Willimantic and Palmer Railroad reached town in 1850 but no passenger service remains. The nearest current station is Hartford Union Station, roughly 25 miles west-southwest.
What is the Daniel Glazier Tavern?
A Federal-period tavern built around 1815 at the west end of the Willington green, owned by the Willington Historical Society. It is currently under stabilization and restoration with no active museum or public hours; the society holds programs at the Town Office Building or the Public Library instead.
What is Willington Pizza known for?
The Red Potato Pizza (sour cream, potatoes and sharp cheddar) and the Seafood Casino Pizza, both national pizza-competition winners. Opened in 1978, the original location on River Road now seats over 200.
Is there a hotel in Willington?
No hotel, inn or B&B could be verified inside Willington. The nearest lodging cluster is reported 12-13 miles west in Vernon, though it could not be independently confirmed.

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