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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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Just published:
Early Lee Family of Lyme and East Lyme Connecticut with essays by Wilbur Beckwith, Olive Tubbs Chendali, Richard Waterman, and Dr. James Mattie. Learn more about the Lee family through the generations. More information 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 Little Boston School was founded in 1734. The present building was built c. 1805 on land deeded by Elisha Lee. It was moved to its present site on the Lee House grounds in 1931.
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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News from Our Neighbors |
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Waterford Public Library Tuesday, August 24th, 7:00 p.m. Vine Utley, The Remarkable Country Doctor of Lyme, Connecticut (1768-1836) Author Caroline Zinsser, a member of the East Lyme Historical Society, will discuss her new book examining the life and career of Dr. Vine Utley. Dr. Utley practiced in the Lyme area, which includes present day East Lyme and Waterford, from 1806 until his death in 1836. A compassionate and innovative physician, Dr. Utley explored the use of vaccines to arrest smallpox, kept an extensive record of his case histories from 1798-1834, wrote articles for medical journals and newspapers, and even corresponded with Thomas Jefferson. He also served as a ship’s surgeon during the War of 1812. This lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit: |
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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:
On Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 7:00 pm, the Smith Harris House will host a one woman one hour drama, "They Call Me Lizzie". Elizabeth Keckly will recall her time as a dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as her life as a slave. Picnic area available. Rain or shine. Free and open to the public. |
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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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The Connecticut State Museum of Natural History CSMNH Archaeology Field School |