The Gateway to Northeastern Connecticut’s “Quiet Corner”
Coventry was incorporated in 1712 and traditionally has been an agricultural and industrial community. Many manufacturing mills which were active in the 19th and early 20th centuries existed along the rivers of town. Later, the town became a tourist destination when many vacation homes were developed along the shores of Coventry Lake. The town has seen some significant residential growth in recent years but possesses a strong world character.
Coventry is the birthplace of Nathan Hale, whose patriotism during the American Revolution distinguishes him as Connecticut's official state hero. Visitors from around the world enjoy the Hale Homestead (2299 South Street), an operating museum celebrating the Hale family. Coventry is the home of the Nathan Hale Ancient Fife and Drums, which performs regionally and holds a Colonial Encampment and Muster at the Hale Homestead. Other events at the Homestead include a celebration of Captain Hale's birthday, walking tours and a corn maze.
Coventry hosts the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial that contains the names of all 612 Connecticut military personnel who gave their life during that conflict. It is located on the Veteran’s Memorial Green, Lake Street.
The Visitor’s Center, located on Route 31 offers maps, postcards, souvenirs and information. It is part of the Historic South Coventry Village, offering a variety of dining and antique shopping establishments and possessing a rich industrial history.
The Booth & Dimock Memorial Library is located at 1134 Main Street and offers many innovative programs for children, teens and adults. For information visit www.coventrypl.org.
The Coventry Historical Society maintains the Strong-Porter House (c. 1730) at 2382 South Street, just west of the Nathan Hale Homestead, which serves as the Historical Society's Museum. The Brick Schoolhouse (c. 1823-25) is located at the intersection of Merrow Road and Goose Lane.
A popular and vibrant Farmer's Market takes place on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. June through October and indoors at the Coventry High School from late November through February. For more information, visit www.coventryfarmersmarket.com.
Cassidy Hill Vineyard, 454 Cassidy Hill Road, is a boutique winery offering wine tasting, vineyard walks and a summer concert series. www.cassidyhillvineyard.com.
Looking for unique lodging? Try Special Joys Doll & Toy Museum, a Victorian-style toy shop at 41 North River Road which is also a Bed and Breakfast. Call (860) 742-6359 or visit www.bestofnewengland.com/specialjoys. For colonial charm, stay at the Daniel Rust House, 2011 Main Street, established in 1800. Call (860) 742-0032 or visit www.thedaniel-rusthouse.com.
Coventry possesses many open space properties with hiking trails. Some offer other recreational opportunities such as fishing, hiking, canoeing and nature viewing. The Nathan Hale State Forest is over 1,500 acres of woodlands. Other properties include: Thornton Brook Preserve, Riverview Trail Park, Mill Brook Park, Patriots Park Woods, Laidlaw Park Trail and Creaser Park. For more information visit www.coventryrec.com.
There are 2 golf courses in Coventry: Skungamaug River Golf Club on Folly Lane, call (860) 742-9348 or visit www.skungamaug-golf.com; and Twin Hills Country Club on Route 31. For more information call (860) 742-9705 or visit www.twinhillcountryclub.com.
Patriots Park (124 Lake Street) consists of 17 acres on Coventry Lake with a community center and lodge available for group rental. It also features a playscape, pavilion, band-shell, picnic area with grills, canoe and kayak rental and free parking. The bench is open from mid-June until Labor Day. Parking fees apply. See www.coventryrec.com for more information about Coventry's other parks and recreational amenities.
Coventry Lake is the place for swimming, boating and water-skiing with a state-owned boat launch at the south end of the lake just west of the entrance to Patriots Park. The Willimantic River is also a favorite spot for canoeing and fishing. For more information, visit www.willimanticriver.org.
Town Info
Coventry Town Hall:
1712 Main Street
Coventry, CT 06238
Phone: 860.742.6324
Regional News
Strengthening our Region
In 2020, Coventry partnered with the towns of Bolton, Mansfield, and Tolland, to create a regional economic vitality plan. This plan has six themes: agriculture, culture & entertainment, higher education, outdoor recreation, small business & entrepreneurship, and visibility & marketing. In each theme there is a set of ideas that when implemented would grow the whole region's economy. Several projects have been undertaken, such as a regional logo: Connecticut's Countryside. This logo was created by DKA Marketing and was selected due to community input from a survey that was conducted in October 2022. Together the towns seek to build on this progress and work together in the coming years.
Coventry Lake
Art & Agriculture, History & Huskies
Within Mansfield's rolling hills and river valleys are sixteen historic villages. The stonewalls throughout the town are reminiscent of Mansfield's agricultural past. In 1881, Charles and Augustus Storrs purchased an abandoned Civil War Orphanage and presented it, with funds, to the State of Connecticut to found an agricultural school. Over the next five decades, this school blossomed into the University of Connecticut, one of the largest employers in Eastern Connecticut and is among the top ranked public universities in the nation.
The Town of Mansfield owns and maintains over 2000 acres of parks, preserves, open space, and agricultural land providing the residents of the town and region with numerous hiking, kayaking, canoeing, walking and biking activities. Mansfield's parks and preserves range in size from 6 to 486 acres and offer trails wandering through woodland's, wetland's, river corridors, grasslands, rocky slopes, and scenic valley overlooks. Many of the Town's preserves connect with natural areas owned by other organizations, creating a tapestry of rural Connecticut preserved for generations. Free downloadable maps of Mansfield's Parks and Preserves are available online at www.mansfieldct.org/trail-guides.
Mansfield is home to a diverse business community, with locally-owned shops and restaurants and national brands found throughout town. Downtown Storrs is a vibrant, walkable neighborhood with over sixty businesses and attractions, municipal facilities, the UConn School of Fine Arts, and Betsy Paterson Square, where the Mansfield Downtown Partnership hosts events throughout the year. For a calendar of events and business directory, visit downtownstorrs.org.
Mansfield Hollow State Park is one mile east of Mansfield Center off Route 89. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking, field sports, picnicking and cross country skiing.
Wolf Rock and Nipmuck Trail - Along the south side of Browns Road and Crane Hill Road is Wolf Rock. Walking along the Nipmuck Trail through the deep shade of dense oak woods, one climbs a long granite escarpment that opens to a beautiful view of the valley of Sawmill Brook over a forty-foot cliff. Wolf Rock is a glacial boulder approximately two yards in diameter perched on the lip of the cliff. Follow the trail north to the Gurleyville Gristmill.
The Gurleyville Grist Mill is a 19th Century stone mill built at the site of a 1724 mill, in the historic village of Gurlyville. Groups may be hosted any day by appointment. Call Joshua’s Trust at 860-429-9023. There is no admission fee, but donations are welcomed and appreciated.
William Benton Museum of Art at the University of Connecticut, is open to the public. Current hours are:
Galleries, Visitor Services & Store
- Tuesday–Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
The Beanery Café
- Open Monday – Friday: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
For tour information please visit https://benton.uconn.edu/education/group-tours.
Mansfield Historical Society Museum and Library are located on route 195, one mile south of the University campus. Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, from June through September and at other times by appointment. To make an appointment please call the museum at 860-429-6575.
Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Connecticut offers more than 40 performances from September through May. Jorgensen hosts professional touring attractions for every taste, ranging from Broadway musicals to symphony orchestras, recitals and chamber concerts, dance, opera, pop, country, jazz, cabaret, multicultural and children's events. Box office number: 860-486-4226.
Town Info
Mansfield Town Hall:
4 South Eagleville Road
Storrs/Mansfield, CT 06268
Phone: 860.429.3302
Things To Do
University of Connecticut Campus Tours - The Lodewick Visitors Center provides student-guided campus tours for prospective students and their families, group tours for high school students, and other specialty tours. Campus tours are offered year-round and are available most Mondays through Saturdays. The Lodewick Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, is open on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and is closed on major holidays. Call 860-486-4900 for more information.
Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry - Located in Downtown Storrs at 1 Royce Circle. Open Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (closed Monday and Tuesday).
UConn Dairy Bar - The UConn Dairy Bar is located at 17 Manter Road on the UConn campus. Open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. For more information call 860-486-1021.
Mansfield Community Center - Opened in 2003, our 38,000 sf Community Center has become a true health, fitness, educational, and recreational resource for the entire region. The facilities, programs, and staff are all focused on one thing - making your visit to the Center enjoyable, useful, and safe. The mission of the Mansfield Community Center is to provide area residents with a friendly and vibrant recreational facility, while promoting health and wellness, encouraging family activity, strengthening sense of community, and stimulating active living.
Community School of the Arts - The Community School of the Arts (CSA) has a long history of providing community based programs to the greater Mansfield area. The CSA began as the Community Music School (later renamed the Community School of the Arts) at the University of Connecticut (UConn). UConn administered the program for over 35 years, primarily at it’s Depot Campus in Storrs. In 2014 the University partnered with Mansfield Parks and Recreation to continue offering an array of high quality instruction in the arts. 2016 marked a new era for the CSA, as Mansfield Parks and Recreation began to independently administer the CSA program. The program maintained operations out of several facilities including UConn’s Music Building, the Mansfield Community Center, and E.O. Smith High School.
In the fall of 2019, the grand opening of Lenard Hall granted a very special new home to the CSA and all of its music, visual arts and performance instruction. Through the generosity of principal donors, John and Jean Lenard and others including the Jeffrey P. Ossen Family Foundation, the Lenard Hall facility was made possible. Mansfield Parks & Recreation is eager to continue to grow the program in its new location by expanding on the programs we offer.
The Town of Mansfield is host to a number of community events throughout the year, including:
- Memorial Day Parade (May)
- Pride Month (June)
- John E. Jackman Tour de Mansfield (June)
- Celebrate Mansfield Festival (September)
For information about these and other events in Mansfield, please visit mansfieldct.gov/discover.
