[2] The site of the first permanent European-American settlement in the state of Connecticut,[3] it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Wethersfield served as a transportation hub on the Connecticut River in the early years.

The Old Wethersfield Historic District was established under town statutes in 1962, "to preserve and protect the many architectural phases of a Connecticut River Community in continual growth from 1634 to the present.

[3] The historic district listed on the National Register includes 1200 structures over 1,300 acres (5.3 km2).

Many of the early frame and brick houses were built by sea captains around the town green.