Stratford is the easternmost town in Fairfield County, but still within an hour's drive of New York City. This charming coastal community has an active
historical society dedicated to preserving the charm of yesterday, while a master plan carefully monitors growth to maintain a well balanced housing market.
The community is the birthplace of the U.S. helicopter industry. In 1939, Russian immigrant
Igor Sikorsky developed one of the world’s first commercial helicopters, which took off at his aircraft plant in Stratford. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a United Technologies Corporation, is still the town's largest employer. A small
museum in the former Stratford Railroad Station contains photographs and the history of old Sikorsky helicopters.
Stratford has a
fine educational system with a balanced curriculum including vocational and technical education at the secondary level. The town also has a robust
continuing education program for adults, including a variety of enrichment classes.
The location along Long Island Sound affords residents a wealth of recreational opportunities. There are
two public beaches, five marinas, several fishing piers and a
public boat launch. Residents also enjoy the 250-acre town-owned
Roosevelt Forest and the
Great Meadows Salt Marsh, one of the largest unditched salt marshes remaining in New England, and now a portion of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.