North of Canaan, and east of Lyme, Dorchester is tiny community located on Route 118. With a population of about 350 people (2010) there are no stoplights, so this meets the criteria for a genuinely small town. The town was the site of nearly a dozen saw mills in the 1800's, and then had double today's population but the population has been relatively steady for the last 20+ years.

Remembering its history, it's complete with a little red school house, an old church -- and farms, set against the rambling hills.

Notable Dorchester resident include Rufus Blodgett, who became a New Jersey senator in the late 1800s, who ran a well-known general store in Lisbon, and became a mogul creating Woodworth and Company, which supplied lime, cement and animal feed.

Dorchester is the home of D Acres (A not-for-profit Permaculture Farm and Educational Homestead), a farm and community that studies sustainability and small-scale organic farming. Guest may stay (either at campsites or indoor rooms) for $10-$65/night.

Lodging and dining are available in Hebron or Plymouth (both about 10 miles).