New Canaan is a charming historic town in Fairfield County, originally incorporated in 1726 and known today for its stunning colonial-era architecture and attractions. The town's lovely downtown district hosts a plethora of annual special events, including an acclaimed Holiday Stroll which opens the doors of its businesses and restaurants for open house events. Five historic buildings are preserved by the New Canaan Historical Society, including the 1799 Rock Schoolhouse and the 1764 Hanford-Silliman House. The New Canaan Nature Center is home to an observation tower, a 350-foot cattail marsh boardwalk, and two miles of walking trails, while the Carriage Barn Arts Center, housed within a renovated 19th-century stone barn, showcases the exhibits of the nonprofit New Canaan Society for the Arts. The Glass House, constructed by architect Philip Johnson, has been designated as a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.