Nestled in the eastern part of Litchfield County, New Hartford lies about twenty miles northwest of Hartford. Incorporated in 1738, the community spreads along both banks of the Farmington River and encompasses a hilly region with elevations reaching to 1,191 feet. It is a country setting with abundant stone walls running through the forests, meadows, and into the yards of private homes.
With more than two hundred stunning views, New Hartford brings the early settlement into perspective. Many of the images are from original tintypes, smoked glass, and cardboard-backed portraits. They show courageous pioneers, some Native American families who lived in town, tall churches, small one-room schoolhouses, and the original homelot houses. The last chapter focuses on the ingenuity of the Victorian era, showing ways that hardworking people accomplished life-sustaining chores before the dawn of technology.