| The Town of Westbrook is located along the Connecticut coast bordered by beautiful Long Island Sound, where fishing, boating, sailing and sightseeing abound. The quiet, small town hosts fine restaurants offering fare ranging from casual to gourmet. Local attractions include the Westbrook Historical Society, the Military Historians' Museum, the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, ancient cemeteries and historical houses. Several freshwater lakes offer good fishing and canoeing, or a peaceful place to relax. |
 Historic Postcard of Westbrook, Connecticut |
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Westbrook covers 15.72 square miles of town and shoreline! |
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The David Bushnell House built in 1678! This historic landmark is very near it's original condition! Directly across from the Bushnell House - Open Thursdays 5-7pm - Now a Museum for Aerospace Technology |
Settled in 1840, Westbrook was the birthplace of David Bushnell, the Revolutionary War Patriot who is recognized by the United States Navy, as the inventor of the first submarine, the Turtle. The David Bushnell House is currently owned by the Lee Company and is the Museum of Early Engineering Technology. It is located only 4 houses away from the Westbrook Inn and open from 5-7pm every Thursday or by appointment (860) 399-6281 ext. 2248 |
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| Not much has changed at the town beach. Never over crowded, the atmosphere is warm, casual & fun, plus it's only a short stroll from the Westbrook Inn! | |
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On the town green, the
Military Historians Museum displays the largest collection of American
military uniforms in the country! There is also a research and video
library located at the museum. Free admission open Tue.-Fri. 8-3:30 and by
appt (860) 399-9460. |
The triangular-shaped town green is just 1/3 mile from the Inn & offers many weekly events. There you will also find Westbrook's Historical Society, the Military Museum, Scrapbook Clubhouse, Beautiful Impressions Stamp Shop, Westbrook's General Store, a few Restaurants and more! |
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String of Pearls Westbrook's Town Green always seems to have a fun weekend event. On Sundays from 6-8pm different bands treat the locals to a Free concert on the green. Bring a couple of chairs and a bottle of wine for a relaxing, inexpensive night out on the town!
Middletown Symphonic Band
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Westbrook's Fife & Drum Muster, always the 4th weekend of August, features an 11 am parade walking distance from the Inn! Reserve early for this free special event!
Annual March of Dimes Bike-A-Thon |
Famous Residents
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David Bushnell, (1740–1824), developer & inventor of the first practical military submersible, was born 1742 in Westbrook. He built and tested the "Turtle" locally. The "Turtle" was used to attack a British warship in New York Harbor, discovered and escaped. The "Turtle" was destroyed in the subsequent American retreat from New York. |
| The Leather Man, (?-March of 1889 ), In a nutshell: Just before the Civil War, an odd vagabond dressed head-to-toe in leather appeared out of nowhere and started walking the same 360-mile circuit for almost 30 years. It was always the same clockwise route — starting in Danbury and heading east through Watertown to Middletown, then south down along the Connecticut River before turning west along the Connecticut coast to New Caanan, then back north into Westchester County, New York, before turning east again to Danbury. People could almost set their calendars by him as it took him exactly 34 days to complete a lap (depending on the weather). One of the many caves he used to stay in was in Westbrook as he never stayed indoors, even in the winter. |
The Leather Man |
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