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Connecticut Open House Day
The Connecticut Department of Culture and Tourism celebrated its sixth annual Open House Day for museums across the state on Saturday, June 12th, and the East Lyme Historical Society took part in the day’s activities for the fourth year in a row. Although the weather seemed determined not to cooperate, the rain did hold off until later in the afternoon. Families interested in history are a hardy bunch, however, and the event was well attended. Members of the Quoketaug Rangers once again joined us, one dressed as a French and Indian War soldier, complete with musket, and another dressed as a scout, showing the visitors the art of tomahawk throwing. Yes, everyone could try, and there was often a line of patient young people waiting for their turn. Not far from the rangers, new this year, were colonial trappers with a wonderful collection of early traps, and some pelts and taxidermies as examples of the success of the traps. The Lee House was the center of attraction with tours of each room and all the nooks and crannies therein. Guides were on hand to speak with visitors about some of the Lee Family and their contribution to the community early in the area’s history. In the kitchen, butter churning was taking place with proper instructions. Next door, at The Little Boston School House, three high school students taught classes for visiting children. Over at the barn the Colonial Store was in operation, and the Society was handing out cold lemonade and snickerdoodle cookies. Near the barn, candle making and woodworking were being demonstrated. A small herd of goats in our new animal pen were very popular, as were a cow out behind the barn, chickens wandering here and there, and, of course, Rock and Roll, the oxen from Cranberry Meadow Farm. New this year was a tea on the back porch of the Dr. Lee Cottage, very civilized, with Society ladies serving assorted teas and biscuits. Was it all a success again this year and well worth the effort of some thirty eight volunteers? You can bet your last colonial shilling, and if you want to see just how much fun, join us next year, as a visitor, or better yet, as a volunteer! To view photos of Open House Day, please click here. |
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Thomas Lee House c. 1660 |
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Created by Barbara Jo McGrath, 2007-10 All Rights Reserved |
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News and Events Frank Wilson Publicity Chair |
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Annual Meeting
The first Friday in June saw the traditional Historical Society Annual Meeting. As is the case at this time of year, we meet on the Lee House Grounds, during what proved to be a very pleasant early summer evening. When we arrived, picnic tables had been arranged and topped with East Lyme maroon color table cloths. Sets ups were available, and as members arrived some did partake of libation as the snacks disappeared and conversation flowed. Without missing a beat social hour turned into dinner time as picnic baskets opened to an assortment of delights to rival both the spring and fall pot lucks. When everyone’s hunger was satisfied, it was time for the business part of the meeting. Recent events were described to those who hadn’t been able to attend, and the upcoming June 12th Open House and the September 350th Lee Anniversary Event were explained in detail and questions answered. The treasurer’s report along with the new budget were distributed, explained, voted on and accepted. Next, the 2010-11 slate of officers and board was presented. Fortunately most officers and all but one board member had agreed to continue in their capacity. The Society was sorry to see our treasurer Ruth Ames, along with assistant treasurer Wilbur Beckwith, both find it necessary to retire their positions. We were fortunate to welcome Sonya Hoisington as our new treasurer, and Annie McCarty has agreed to fill the opening on the board. Both Ruth and Wilbur were given a hearty round of society applause. Just to set your minds at rest, Wilbur will continue his position as Historical Society Historian. Over two hours had passed way too quickly, as members began to pick up and put the grounds back in their original order. However, lingering conversations continued for some time. This meeting in particular lends itself to socializing with one another, one thing our members are very good at. Around three dozen members made the meeting this year, just about the same count as last year. We hope to bring the attendance up to perhaps fifty next year, when more of you will be able to attend. As is the case with all our functions, you won’t be disappointed. |
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4th Grade Colonial Hands On Program
Over a period of five days in May, 4th grade students from East Lyme’s Flanders, Haynes and Center Schools visited the Thomas Lee House for our 10th Annual Colonial Hands on Program. The society is pleased to have three High School sophomores helping at our June 12th Open House who experienced this program when they were in fourth grade and remember it well. The forty or so students who arrived each day were divided into five groups. Each group attended a forty minute session in one of several learning activities, which varied somewhat from one day to another. The “Lee House Players” put on a play, with details taken from the Journal of Joshua Hempstead, demonstrating the differences between the law in 1743 Connecticut and that of modern times. Following the drama, the “Judge” of the “trial” spoke to the children about colonial law, inviting questions and thoughts. The students were then treated to a tour of the Lee House. Other activities were candle making, butter churning, wood working and spinning. Not far from the spinning wheel in the barn, the animal pen housed some very popular sheep. We all were treated one day with a visit from Rock and Roll, an ox team from Cranberry Meadow Farm. The Quoketaug Rangers, colonial re-enactors, discussed the French and Indian War, and demonstrated tomahawk throwing and musket firing. A colonial blacksmith visited one day, with a portable smithy shop set up and running. On another couple of days a colonial vendor invited the students to model his offerings of children’s’ clothing. In the barn, the students had the opportunity to study displays concerning the Nehantic Indians and Ezra Lee and the submarine The Turtle. During the lunch break they checked out the Little Boston School House, and to play colonial games. Go figure: non electronic games and the kids couldn’t get enough! So, our thanks go out again this year to all that participated and volunteered and to the 4th graders who readily got involved in all the activities. Let’s give a tip of the tri-corn hat to Dick Waterman, who even prepares a lesson plan on the program that the teachers can use before and after their class attends. And of course his team, the Quoketaug Rangers, the Lee House Judgment Room Repertory Players, the colonial crafts instructors and all who made this very special event what it was. Both a wonderful learning experience, and a good time were certainly had by all. To view photos of the 4th Grade Colonial Program, click here. |
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Spring Pot Luck Supper
The Society’s Pot Lucks are always popular, and this spring’s in mid-April was no exception Once again, it was proven that some of the best cooks in town belong to the Society. We were fortunate once more this year to be able to hold this in a very comfortable meeting room at AHEPA, on Roxbury Road. Following a social hour, we took advantage of the wide selection of pot luck dishes. Our program followed, with a most informative talk by New London Historian Sally Ryan. Being an authority on the Journal of Joshua Hempstead, she told us of his connections to the Thomas Lee family, and their visits back and forth from New London to East Lyme Keep in mind, this was at a time when New London itself covered the area from the Rhode Island border to Bride Brook, here in town. We learned also how New London “shrank” as more and more areas originally within its borders became independent towns. The Journal itself is a gem of local history, and Sally Ryans’ knowledge of it made for an outstanding presentation. If you were there, you realize what a wonderful evening it was; if not, hopefully you’ll join us in the fall for our next pot luck. You won’t be disappointed.
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2009-2010 Winter Lecture Series
The East Lyme Historical Society’s ongoing Winter Lecture Series began in October with East Lyme Town and Historical Society Historian Wilbur Beckwith’s slide presentation and narrative depicting scenes of Niantic and Flanders . We are most fortunate to have Wilbur’s compilation of pictures and his wealth of knowledge concerning all things East Lyme. Questions, with in-depth answers, completed the evening. The second lecture of the season was held in early December. The Society attempted a departure from the lecture series with their own version of “Antiques Road Show”. Attendees were asked to bring an antique object or something at least quite old, for our “panel of experts” to identify and sometimes appraise. Some actually did bring in items, which made the evening both informative and entertaining. Running out of items, the panel then took a town address and discussed a location as to what had been there years ago. At the first lecture of the New Year in March, the Society welcomed Jim Streeter, president of the Groton Historical Society. His subject was the colorful philanthropist Morton Plant. Mr. Streeter often takes on the role of Morton Plant and even looks the part. He told us of the family’s dealings in Florida and the south, then in Groton with Avery Point and even here to East Lyme with Stone’s Ranch and The Shoreline Trolley. Mr. Streeter’s presentation was outstanding and well received. The lecture season concluded in late April with Yale Professor of History (Emeritus) John Demos. His subject was witches and witchcraft, and the actions that came about as a result, such as witch hunting. Professor Demos had written two books on the subject and enlightened us all with a brief back ground on witches, then a far more in depth talk on witchcraft in New England, most particularly in Salem, Massachusetts and closer to home in Windsor, Connecticut. We were relieved to learn that there are no known records of witch trials having taken place in New London and East Lyme. Once again, questions and answers followed. With that, the Winter Lecture Season once again became history. Thanks go to Dick Waterman for making the arrangements; our exceptional speakers; the High School History Students that faithfully attend; and the couple handfuls of townspeople and Society members who regularly attend. All lectures take place at East Lyme High School, and are free and open to the public. |
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2009 East Lyme Light Parade
The East Lyme Historical Society enthusiastically took part in the 21st Annual East Lyme Light Parade on December 14th, 2009. A one-day delay, due to torrential rains, did nothing to dampen the spirits of our members. The theme of our entry was an 1860s Christmas, with teamster Nancy Kalal leading her oxen, Rock and Roll, down Main Street. They pulled a cart decorated for the winter holiday and carrying a tree down from the woods to the Lee Family. Members of the Society walked beside the cart in costume, and carrying old-fashioned lanterns, as other members followed behind the oxen on “clean-up duty”. To view photos from the East Lyme Light Parade, click here. |
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Fall Pot Luck Supper
Our Fall Pot Luck Supper found about sixty hearty souls at the Niantic Bay Yacht Club being warmed by the fireplace and a steaming bowl of homemade clear broth clam chowder, then sharing the wonderful members’ dishes and great camaraderie. Dinner was followed by a presentation from East Lyme Town Historian Wilbur Beckwith that took us from the Thames River in Groton to the Connecticut River in Old Saybrook. Mr. Beckwith began the slide show and talk with an early picture of Fort Griswold, and a later one of the Griswold Hotel on the east side of the Thames. Slides from New London, on the west side, included State Street, the early Parade, Union Station, the Pequot House and Ocean Beach before the hurricane of 1938. A photo of the East Lyme Street Railway on the timber trestle that once crossed the Niantic River at Golden Spur introduced the East Lyme segment of the evening. Slides of Calkin’s Tavern at Flanders Four Corners, Niantic School on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Morton House, the train station and trolley tracks on Main Street, Crescent Beach, Little Boston School House in its original location, and Niantic Hill gave the guests a full sense of the history of the town. The presentation then moved on to Old Lyme, with a photo of Ferry Tavern, where the ferry crossing the Connecticut River once landed, as well as the first bridge carrying both vehicle and trolley traffic across the river to Old Saybrook. In what seemed like a moment in time, we had run through sixty slides with a wonderful narration by Wilbur. If you haven’t seen one of his presentations be on the lookout for the next one. You won’t be disappointed with this trip down an early, and local, memory lane. And don’t forget to join us at our next Pot Luck Supper, in April!
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For a list of the Officers and Board of Directors of the East Lyme Historical Society, please visit:
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The East Lyme Historical Society is a member of the Five Rivers Consortium, which provides an online directory of historical, cultural and educational places and events.
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