Harrisville

Harrisville is Cheshire County’s youngest town, incorporated in 1870 from parts of Dublin and Nelson. Settlement began here as early as 1786, and woolen mills were established by members of the Twitchell family in about 1813.

The growth of the Harris family’s industry and the coming of the railroad influenced the creation of this town. It was named in honor of Milan Harris, whose several stone and brick mills made use of the abundant water power of three nearby lakes until 1970.

Harrisville, a prototype of a rural New England factory village, is now a historic district. A number of its buildings are protected by Historic Harrisville Inc., and the picturesque village is a great favorite with artists.