Mill Hill Historic Park
What is Mill Hill Historic Park?
At the top of Mill Hill overlooking the head of the Norwalk Harbor, you will find three historic buildings: the 1835 Town House, the 1826 Downtown District Schoolhouse, the c. 1740 Governor Fitch Law Office, as well as the 1767 Mill Hill Burying Ground and a Colonial Herb Garden. In addition the c. 1860 Lockup and c. 1880 Barn on Smith Street are included in Mill Hill Historic Park.
These buildings and this historic site have been preserved through the efforts of the Norwalk Historical Society and established in one location as a monument to early Norwalk.
Mill Hill Historic Park is located at 2 East Wall St., Norwalk, and is open to the public year-round from sunrise to sunset. Mill Hill buildings are open during special events and by appointment for group tours. For more information, please contact the Historical Society at the link below.
1835
The present Town House was built in 1835. In the early days the Town House served multiple purposes – for the administration of civic duties and also as a town gathering place.
c. 1740
Originally part of the kitchen wing of the c. 1740 home of Thomas Fitch, Connecticut Colonial Governor from 1754 to 1766, it has been reconstructed as a colonial law office.
1826
Built in 1826, this building was known as the Downtown District Schoolhouse. It was used as a school until 1871 and later moved to Mill Hill in 1971 and restored.
1767
Established in 1767, the cemetery lying to the east of the buildings is the third oldest in Norwalk. Family plots went along with the property grants issued to the first settlers.
c. 1860
The Lockup, as it is now called, was once part of a prominent pottery manufacturing plant, the A. E. Smith & Sons Pottery Company, located on the western side of Smith Street at the base of Mill Hill.
Located next to the Lockup, the Barn was likely an outbuilding for A. E. Smith & Sons Pottery Company. It was later used by the City’s Department of Public Works.
Hours
Admission
Admission is free to the public.
Group Guided Tours
Guided tours of the Mill Hill buildings for groups and organizations are available May-September (minimum of 6 people required). Please contact us to discuss a variety of guided tour options for groups and organizations – 60 minutes to half-day.
Group Tours
(2-12 people/tour) – $75 for 60-minute tour.
Location
2 East Wall St
Norwalk, CT 06851
Tel: 203-846-0525
Note: Parking is available for a limited number of vehicles in the small lot next to the Town House.