Russian Village Historic District, Historic district in Southbury, Connecticut.
The Russian Village Historic District contains 46 wood-frame buildings with simple country house style spread across three roads that branch from Russian Village Road. These structures sit within forested terrain that slopes toward the Pomperaug River, creating a rural landscape spread across more than 100 acres.
The settlement was founded in the 1920s as a refuge for Russian emigrants following the 1917 revolution. Writers and intellectuals including George Grebenstchikoff and Ilya Tolstoy, son of the famous author Leo Tolstoy, established this community for displaced Russians.
St. Sergius Chapel with its Russian Orthodox design anchors the settlement and reflects the spiritual life of its residents. The chapel and surrounding homes represent how this community maintained Russian cultural traditions in America.
The site sits within wooded terrain with river access where visitors can walk and explore the natural surroundings. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the paths and outdoor areas are easy to reach and enjoy.
The site was home to helicopter inventor Igor Sikorsky, who developed his pioneering designs while living here. This made the settlement a center of technical innovation alongside its role as a cultural refuge.
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