KENT, CT

Kent is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, alongside the border with New York. The population was 3,019 according to the 2020 census. The town is home to three boarding schools: Kent School, the Marvelwood School, and South Kent School. The Schaghticoke Indian Reservation is also located within town borders. The town is also home to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

History

The town of Kent was sectioned in 1737 and settled about 1739. The town was named after Kent in England.

Geography

Kent is in western Litchfield County and is bordered to the west by Dutchess County, New York. It is north of Danbury and west of Hartford. The town's central village is found at . According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which are land and , or 2.14%, are water. Bull's Bridge, one of two covered bridges open to vehicles in Connecticut, is located in the town. The town is bisected by the Housatonic River. The western half contains Macedonia Brook State Park, the Schaghticoke Indian Reservation, and a section of the Appalachian Trail.

Principal communities

Points of interest

Macedonia Brook State Park

Macedonia Brook State Park was first opened in 1918 with a donation of from the White Memorial Foundation of Litchfield. Since then, it has now grown to a size of and is used for outdoor recreation throughout the year.

Besides the pure beauty of Appalachia, the park also boasts extensive trails, campgrounds, a venue for large group picnics, a small hilltop lake, and the park's namesake, Macedonia Brook. Visitors can also take advantage of the numerous grills set up around the park. From peaks on the Blue Trail, hikers can take in views of the Catskill Mountains and the Taconic Mountains.

Kent Falls State Park

thumb|Kent Falls, before its 2005–2006 renovation

Kent Falls State Park is often called "The Jewel of the Inland Parks" with its views of 17 waterfalls. The falls are fed by wetlands which are located in Warren, and empties into the Housatonic River, which is directly across the highway from the park.

A trail winds a quarter of a mile up along the falls, and although it is not difficult to walk it is steep, rising in . In 2006 a $1.1 million trail renovation was finished which provided new viewing platforms and a redesigned trail. Swimming was at one time allowed along the entire length of the falls, but due to a number of serious accidents, and large-scale damage to the natural environment, all of the area along the water above the bottom level is now closed by state law.

The park is designated as a Trout Park and is stocked with trout from the state's hatcheries. Due to the Trout Park designation the daily creel limit in the park is two fish.

Bulls Bridge

Bull's Bridge is one of three remaining covered bridges in Connecticut dating from the 19th century. George Washington crossed the Housatonic River near the site of the present bridge in 1781. Built in 1842 by architect Ithiel Town, this single-lane covered bridge features a lattice truss design.

Sloane-Stanley Museum

A museum featuring the studio and antique collections of Eric Sloane.

Connecticut Antique Machinery Association

A non-profit museum dedicated to preserving and restoring antique machinery and educating the public on Connecticut's industrial and agricultural history. One notable exhibit is its narrow-gauge railroad, which features an operating steam locomotive.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,858 people, 1,143 households, and 744 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 1,463 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 95.77% White, 0.56% Black or African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 2.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The most numerous ethnic groups in Kent are:

There were 1,143 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,906, and the median income for a family was $66,065. Males had a median income of $46,343 versus $31,493 for females. The per capita income for the town was $38,674. About 0.1% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Kent is a member of Regional School District 01, which also includes the towns of Canaan, Cornwall, North Canaan, Salisbury, and Sharon. Public school students attend Kent Center School from grades K–8 and Housatonic Valley Regional High School from grades 9–12. Kent also has three private schools: Kent School, a coed Episcopal independent school serving grades 9–12/PG, South Kent School, an all-boys Episcopal independent school, and Marvelwood School, a coed non-sectarian independent school.

Transportation

U.S. Route 7 is the main north–south highway in the town, while Connecticut Route 341 is the main east–west highway. Route 7 leads north to North Canaan and south to Danbury, while Route 341 leads east to Warren and west to the New York border and the town of Amenia.

Notable people