Settlers from Plymouth Colony, in Massachusetts, founded Windsor after the Podunk Indians invited them to provide a mediating force between other tribes, and granted them a plot of land. The Pequot and Mohawk were at war, catching the Podunk in the crossfire and forcing them to pay tribute to the Pequots, who claimed their land. The Sicaog tribe made a similar offer to the Dutch in New Amsterdam, but they declined to send settlers, since their interest in Connecticut was limited to the fur trade. After Edward Winslow inspected the site, William Holmes led a party there. Sailing up the Connecticut River past the Dutch fort at Hartford, they arrived at Windsor on September 26, 1633.
Windsor was formerly known for its thriving tobacco farms, some of which still exist today. In the Day Hill section of town, one can still see the red wooden sheds that were originally used to store tobacco. A tobacco museum containing authentic farming implements and tools can be found at Northwest Park.
Windsor was the first town established in the State of Connecticut and was founded in 1633.
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