Glastonbury (/ˈɡlæstənbɛri/ GLAST-ən-berr-ee) is a town in the Capitol Planning Region, Connecticut, United States, formally founded in 1693 and first settled in 1636.

[2] In 1636, 30 families settled in Pyaug, a tract of land belonging to Wethersfield on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, bought from the Native American chief Sowheag for 12 yards (11 m) of trading cloth.

In 1672, the General Court granted Wethersfield and Hartford permission to extend Pyaug's boundary line 5 miles (8 km) to the east.

[4] The ties have not been completely broken: the oldest continuously operating ferry in the United States still runs between South Glastonbury and Rocky Hill, also then part of Wethersfield, as it did as far back as 1655.

After part of New London Turnpike was realigned to eliminate the rotary in the middle of town during the mid-20th century, a small green was established there.

Located on the Connecticut River, it had reliable waterpower and nearby hardwood forests of oak.

Sawmills, charcoal kilns, and foundries developed around the shipyards to process timber and other goods for their needs.

When the business was sold in 1957, ten former employees organized Glastonbury Toiletries and continued operation into the 1970s.

During the World Wars, Glastonbury factories supplied leather and woolen goods to the military of Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, and the United States.

Hale never went beyond grade school, but he initiated the founding of Storrs Agricultural College, now the University of Connecticut.

His home, at the intersection of Main Street and Route 17, has been adapted in the 20th century for use first as a restaurant and, more recently, for business offices.

Henry Saglio began a pioneering effort to breed a white chicken, because black pinfeathers were difficult to pluck from a bird headed for the dinner table.

In 1993, Billy Joel filmed part of the video for his song "The River of Dreams" in a barn in South Glastonbury.

The town begins on the banks of the Connecticut River and extends up into foothills, many of which provide a view of Hartford's skyline.

However, the rural parts of the town, at an elevation of 800 feet near Bolton and Hebron, experience a colder climate which straddles the (Dfa) and (Dfb) lines.

It is a town-wide event lasting three days that includes live music, a 5K road race, various rides, attractions, and vendors specializing in handmade crafts.

Popular sporting events include three 5K races organized by the Glastonbury River Runners, a local running club.

Residents are also known to enjoy the orchards of South Glastonbury, most of which are along the Matson Hill road and Woodland Street area of town.

There, guests can buy and pick their own freshly and locally grown produce and fruits, such as blueberries and pumpkins.

The town has four private pool and tennis clubs: Minnechaug, Orchard Hill, Woodledge, and Pinebrook.

Cotton Hollow Nature Preserve is in South Glastonbury and is open to residents for fishing and hiking.

Glastonbury's school system was referenced in episode 563, Act 2, of the radio show This American Life.