New Preston is a rural village and census-designated place (CDP) in the northwestern corner of the town of Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States.

Archeological evidence suggests that Native Americans first settled in the area around 10,000 years ago, following the retreat of the glaciers at the conclusion of the last ice age.

The town was named after George Washington, who, in his capacity as Commander of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, passed through the area several times.

In May 1781, George Washington slept in New Preston at the Cogswell Tavern, which still stands on present-day Christian Street and is used as a private residence.

New Preston housed an iron works, as well as manufacturers of twine, hats, cheese boxes, ax handles, shoes, and harnesses.

[8] However, with the advent of electricity, expansion of national rail networks, and the rise of larger, more accessible manufacturing centers during the latter part of the 19th century, industrial activity in New Preston decreased, eventually disappearing altogether.

With the arrival of the Shepaug Railroad in 1872,[8] passenger service was introduced between New Preston Station and New York City, which gave rise to the construction of summer homes and inns around the perimeter of Lake Waramaug.

[10] The railroad ceased operation in 1948, and many of the large inns on the lake closed, giving way to single-family residences used primarily as vacation homes.

[11] In the mid-1980s, a transformation of the village center began with the opening of a store specializing in antique gardening books and horticultural prints.

The village's only grocery store, pharmacy, and gas station closed, leaving New Preston largely devoid of essential services.

[12] By the mid-1990s, the village center had been completely made over into a picturesque, high-end retail destination catering primarily to weekend residents and out-of-town visitors.

Postal Service addressing practices result in the name being applied to the Marble Dale section of Washington, and to portions of the adjacent town of Warren.

Current inhabitants of note include Graydon Carter,[22] the editor of the magazine Vanity Fair, actress Christine Baranski, and bandleader Peter Duchin.

[5] Past notable residents include the fashion designer Bill Blass,[23] comedian Joan Rivers,[12] and theologian Horace Bushnell.