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Thomas Lee House c. 1660 |
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East Lyme Historical Society |
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Founded 1897 |
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Flea Market |
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Created by Barbara Jo McGrath, 2007-10 All Rights Reserved |
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Celebrating the 350th Anniversary of the Thomas Lee House
Lee Family Reunion September 10th-12th |
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Our Mission
The purposes and objectives of the Society shall be: 1. To engage in educational, archival, research and exploration activities and to support such activities that will increase knowledge of and engender appreciation of the history of the Town of East Lyme and its heritage. 2. To encourage the preservation and restoration of the town’s historical assets, such as houses, structures, burying grounds, early artifacts and other things associated with the town’s origin and history. 3. To determine and develop year round historical programs and implementation of same. These programs and activities shall include the period of colonial history and may include all periods of American history and other history. 4. To cooperate and participate with other organizations for similar purposes and objectives, both within and without the town. 5. To establish the Thomas Lee House Preservation Committee to ensure the protection and preservation of the Thomas Lee House as an American heritage, wherein books, documents, pictures, furniture, tools, implements, artifacts and other articles associated with the history of the Thomas Lee House and the family are housed. |
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Flea Market & Crafts and Collectibles Sale
Saturday and Sunday, September 4th-5th, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Plans are currently being made for our fall Flea Market & Crafts and Collectibles Sale. If you are interested in taking part, please contact us at: |
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Dedication of the Thomas Lee House, 1914 |
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Thomas Lee House
The Thomas Lee House (c. 1660) is one of the oldest wood frame houses in Connecticut still in its primitive state. The Lee House is listed on the National Register of Historic Houses, and is open for tours during the summer months.
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Little Boston School House |
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Little Boston School House
The first record of a school in the area of the Lee House dates to at least 1734. The present building was erected on land donated by Elisha Lee. In use until 1922, the building was eventually moved to its present location, next to the Lee House. It was donated to the East Lyme Historical Society in 1926.
Anthropology students from East Lyme and Ledyard High Schools, under the direction of James Littlefield and Dr. John Pfeiffer, conducted an archaeological study of the site of the original Little Boston School House. Their results can be found at :
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Your Support is Important!
The East Lyme Historical Society owns and maintains the Thomas Lee House and Little Boston School House, offers educational programs to the community throughout the year, works to provide access to historical materials through its publications, archives, and website, and is always ready to work with other groups to help foster understanding and appreciation of the history of our town. And we do it all as volunteers! The generosity of our town and our members is greatly appreciated. Time, energy, and dollars donated are put immediately to work. If you are currently a member, THANK YOU! If not, please consider joining us. The Membership Form can be printed and mailed in, or you can contact us at: info@eastlymehistoricalsociety.org Donations are always welcome. And please remember: all of our programs are open to the public, free of charge. We welcome your participation!
BUSINESS OWNERS: Become a Business Member of the East Lyme Historical Society for only $50 a year. Members receive a free listing on our Business Directory page, with a link to their own sites, as well as being mentioned in our newsletters. Our website is currently attracting over 500 unique visitors and 2500 hits each month, from all over the country, and from around the world. Many of them are in the process of planning trips to our area, and would be interested in the services you provide. Local residents will recognize your generosity, as well. |
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Where can you learn about:
historical museums nature trails wine trails odd street names and a whole lot more around Connecticut?
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In 1934, as part of the Work Projects Administration, the Census of Old Buildings in Connecticut was assembled, containing photographs and information about buildings throughout the state. The Connecticut State Library has transcribed the forms and digitized the photographs. They are now available at:
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East Lyme is also home to the Smith-Harris House, a c. 1845 farmhouse and museum. For more information, visit:
Heritage Weekend is coming! Stay tuned for details. |
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Smith-Harris House Society Road, Niantic |
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Also visit: |
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Local Landmarks |
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Churches |
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Cemeteries |
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Just published:
Early Lee Family of Lyme and East Lyme Connecticut
Essays by Wilbur Beckwith on: Ensign Thomas Lee II John Lee and The Dying Charge Thomas Lee III, “Mr. Justice Lee” Courtship of Reinhold Marvin and Phoebe Lee William Lee Colonel Stephen Lee Reverend Joseph Lee and Son Reverend Jason Lee Elisha Lee The Hanover Lees and the Underground Railroad Reverend Seth Lee Captain Richard Lee Dr. Thomas Douglas Lee Frederick E. Lee Last Lee child born in the Lee House Dr. James Lee Essay by Olive Tubbs Chendali on: Daniel Smith-Indentured Servant Essays by Richard Waterman on: Slave holdings of the Lee Family Abner Lee and son Ezra-pilot of the submarine “Turtle” Essay by Dr. James Mattie and Wilbur Beckwith on: Dr. Samuel Holden Parsons Lee Also brief essays by Mr. Beckwith on the history of the East Lyme Historical Society and on the Little Boston School House, and a sequence of owners of the Lee House. More information at: |
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Lee House Artifacts: Volunteers Wanted!
The East Lyme Historical Society is putting out a call for volunteers to help in its endeavor to compile a comprehensive accounting of all artifacts in its possession. Much has been accumulated during the Society’s 113 year history, enough to fill the Thomas Lee House, the adjacent Dr. Lee House, the Little Boston School House, the barn and a few other locations in East Lyme. The collection encompasses furniture, artwork, clothing, tools and literally hundreds of everyday personal and household items representative of several centuries of local history. The volunteers will assist in the effort to help identify, photograph and, for the first time, create a computer data base of the collection. Jerry Boyle, a Society board member organizing the project, says that the work will be fun and educational. “Once you start, time flies by as you delve into the nooks and crannies of historic East Lyme.” he says. If you have even a passing interest in local history, this is a great opportunity to learn by doing. No experience or time commitment is required. Young and old are encouraged to participate and new friendships are guaranteed to be made. The project is expected to continue through the fall. For further information contact Jerry Boyle at 860.739.3119 or email to jboyle06357@yahoo.com. |