Weston CT

Weston, CT at a Glance

With nearly a quarter of its land set aside for open space and the remainder studded with stately homes, Weston, Connecticut reigns as one of Fairfield County's handsomest towns. Its zip code area ranks as one of the most affluent in the country, and its exceptional schools produce students whose CAPT and SAT scores are among the highest in Connecticut. Over the years, Weston has proudly been home to such illustrious figures as Fritz Reiner, Bette Davis, Robert Redford, and Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards.

In contrast to its present prosperity, however, in the 1700's, the region covering Weston was inhabited by modest farmers who cultivated onions, potatoes and apples on the rocky land. While neighboring towns industrialized in the 19th Century, the lack of a railroad stymied Weston's economy, and of its nine manufacturing mills, only one still operated by 1850. This was the Bradley Edge Tool Company, which burned down in 1911.

Weston, CT at a Glance

Following a protracted population drop-off between the Civil War and Depression, a community of artists from New York City moved in to repopulate the area in the 1930's, with regeneration aided by completion of the Merritt Parkway in 1938. Today, Weston's infrastructure is supported by the Metro-North Railroad station in Westport. Nearly twenty percent of residents commute to New York City.

Like many New England towns, Weston is governed by a Board of Selectmen that is headed by a First Selectman. An elected Board of Finance conducts open town meetings regularly. Of Weston's net yearly budget, three-quarters is invested in the public school system, which includes an Elementary, Intermediate, Middle and High School.

Weston boasts three historic districts: The Bradley Edge Tool Company Historic District, Norfield Historic District, and Kettle Creek Historic District. Each is notable for its unique architecture, including examples of Italianate, Greek Revival and Colonial cape style buildings.

The largest and most visited preserve in Fairfield County is Devil's Den Preserve, the majority of whose 1,746 acres lie in Weston. Apart from serving as an outdoor sanctuary for hundreds of species of plants and animals, the Preserve is seat to numerous community programs and activities, including the New Canaan Nature Center's hikes in Woody Park.

Bisceglie Park is another gem that provides baseball fields, a Kiwanis fitness trail, exercise stations and swimming along the Saugatuck River. Parks & Recreation programs in Weston offer clubs for swimming, soccer, lacrosse, little league, and baseball, and Weston Youth Services offers camps and various educational courses.

Though Weston is proudly residential, with no public transportation and few shopping locations, residents are rarely homebodies and readily get out to participate in the community. The Weston Commission for the Arts plans cultural events every month, including festivals, such as the annual "Rites of Spring," held at the Town Hall Green, as well as concerts and exhibitions for the public. Church fairs are held in spring and fall, and the Grange Fair falls at harvest time. The Hurlbutt Elementary School PTO puts on a Memorial Day Fair with games and entertainment that splendidly compliments the Weston Volunteer Fire Department's Memorial Day Parade, at which spectators are invited to march along.

Belief in the value of volunteerism is strong in Weston, where volunteer organizations include the Fire Department, League of Women Voters, the Weston Kiwanis Club, and the Weston and Saugatuck Garden Clubs.