East Lyme Historical Society

East Lyme Historical Society Helps to preserve and maintain the Thomas Lee House, Little Boston School House, and other historical resources of the Town of East Lyme.

03/31/2026

East Lyme Historical Society
Spring Potluck Dinner
Wednesday April 8th
American Legion Hall
16 York Ave, Niantic
Please join us at the American Legion for our Spring Potluck Dinner. We are pleased to have Richard Donohue, Cromwell's Town Historian and President of the Cromwell Historical Society, as our guest speaker for the evening. As we are gearing up for our country's semiquincentennial Richard’s presentation “History to Legend to Myth: Remembering the Revolution in Connecticut” will explore the role our state played in our country’s independence. Using the state’s memorials, statues, and landmarks as touchstones we will explore the ways the people of Connecticut participated in the movement towards independence.
Social Hour starts at 6pm. Please bring your favorite dish to share: appetizer, entree, side dish or dessert. Coffee, water and a non-alcoholic beverage will be available. The American Legion bar will be open and available for those that would like beer, wine or cocktails.
This event is free and open to the public. Donations are kindly accepted. The American Legion Hall is available for parties and meetings 860-739-9360 for information. Any questions about this program please contact the EL Historical Society at: [email protected].

02/26/2026

East Lyme Historical Society
Winter Lecture Series 2026
Sunday March 1st
2:00 pm
East Lyme Senior Center
37 Society Rd, Niantic
We are pleased to have as our special guest speaker Dayne Rugh and his presentation on “The Connecticut Sons of Liberty” The year 1765 changed everything in American History. Bands of secret organizations known collectively as “The Sons of Liberty” gathered in the shadows to plot against England and chart a new course for the American colonies. Learn some of the hidden history behind these revolutionaries and see how they changed the course of history in Connecticut.
Dayne Rugh is the Director of Slater Memorial Museum and a past President of the Society of the Founders of Norwich (CT). Dayne has been published in various state and local publications including: Connecticut Explored, The Norwich Bulletin newspaper, Connecticut History Review and also published in the Journal of the American Revolution.
Come and join in the conversation as we explore how the Connecticut Sons of Liberty paved our path in American history. This program is free and all are welcome. Donations are a welcome kindness and are greatly appreciated. Hope you can join us.

01/29/2026

Our Winter Lecture will be this Sunday February 1st at the East Lyme Senior Center starting at 2pm. Staying optimistic but there is a chance of cancellation. Will post if there is no lecture otherwise hope you can make it. Scroll a few post down for our guest speaker and information on his talk.

01/20/2026

Sorry Folks I posted the wrong guest speaker for February's Winter Lecture Series. We will be having Matthew E. Reardon in February. Dayne Rugh will be our guest for March's lecture. Hope you can join us for both lectures

01/20/2026

East Lyme Historical Society
Winter Lecture Series 2026
Sunday February 1st
2:00 pm
East Lyme Senior Center
37 Society Rd, Niantic
We are pleased to have back as special guest speaker Mathew E. Reardon author of “The Traitor’s Homecoming: Benedict Arnold’s Raid on New London, Connecticut, September 4-13 1781”. Matthew's research interest focuses on Connecticut during the American Revolution and the Civil War and has had several articles published in the Journal of the American Revolution. He currently serves as a command historian for the Connecticut Military Department and is a middle school teacher. Hope you can join us for an afternoon of history and conversation. Our programs are offered for free to the public. Donations are a welcome kindness and are greatly appreciated. Matthew will have copies of his book available for sale before and after the program.

01/04/2026

Happy New Year from all of us here at the East Lyme Historical Society. It is that time of year when many family historians hunker down and shake a few branches of the family tree. Though much information can be found by sleuthing around on-line nothing replaces having books or documents on hand.
We were recently presented with a copy of “A Compendium of Five Families of Lyme CT: Beckwiths, Lewis, Mack, Smith, Tubbs” compiled after years of research by Jonathan Twiss. This will make a welcome addition into anyone's home genealogy library. Feel free to visit us on Monday mornings, 9 to Noon, in the East Lyme Room at the East Lyme Public Library if you would like to view the book in person. ** Beckwith of New London and Lyme CT **Lewis of New London and Lyme CT **Mack of Concord MA and Lyme CT **Smith of Lancaster MA and Lyme CT **Tubbs of Duxbury MA and Lyme CT.
Purchase price: $85.00 For information on purchasing and shipping please contact Jonathan Twiss at: [email protected]

We love this photo from the Niantic Post Office at Christmas time in 1957. Read the sign carefully.
12/16/2025

We love this photo from the Niantic Post Office at Christmas time in 1957. Read the sign carefully.

Shopping locally this year? Don’t overlook your local historical societies and help preserve local history. Monetary don...
12/10/2025

Shopping locally this year? Don’t overlook your local historical societies and help preserve local history. Monetary donations help the East Lyme Historical Society preserve the circa 1660 Thomas Lee House and allow us to offer free programs through-out the year. You can mail your donation to: East Lyme Historical Society P.O Box 112 East Lyme, CT 06333 or visit our website to make a donation via our PayPal account.

Interested in local history books? We have several publications available: “Factories, Farms and Fishes Too” Historical Photographs of East Lyme $20, Wilbur Beckwith’s “Early Lee Family of Lyme and East Lyme Connecticut” $15, “The Last of the Nehantics” by Mrs Jane T. Smith $12, “East Lyme Hornbook: The A, B, C’s of East Lyme History” by Olive Tubbs Chendali $5 and two booklets: “The Thomas Lee House A History Description” by Celeste E. Bush and Norman Morrison Isham and “The Thomas Lee House An Architectural Report” by Cary Carson, $5 each. All publications are available for sale at the East Lyme Public Library Circulation Desk or to inquire about shipping your order or any questions you may have please contact us at: [email protected]
Happy Holidays!

Circa 1914 Boston Post Road, Flanders
All three houses are standing today

Niantic Super Market aka Mitchell's on Main Street in 1959. The gas station to the left is where the train station used ...
11/20/2025

Niantic Super Market aka Mitchell's on Main Street in 1959. The gas station to the left is where the train station used to be and is now the park where the Bouy Trees are located . Mitchell's made really good grinders. What is your Mitchell's story?

The Whistle-Stop on Main Street getting ready for Christmas in the mid 1950's.
11/10/2025

The Whistle-Stop on Main Street getting ready for Christmas in the mid 1950's.

Our beloved Constable Francis Duffy directing traffic on Main Street in the mid 1950's.
11/07/2025

Our beloved Constable Francis Duffy directing traffic on Main Street in the mid 1950's.

11/06/2025

With the holiday season coming a donation to the East Lyme Historical Society makes a loving gift and perfect fit for all. Our mission is to preserve our town's history. Besides our yearly programs we maintain the historic Thomas Lee House and offer free guided tours in the summer and also private tours by appointment. Our newest collaboration is with the East Lyme Public Library and have formed the “East Lyme History Collection & Archives” which is housed at the Library in the East Lyme Room. Our Society relies on not just monetary support but also volunteer support which has allowed us to offer our programs and tours of the Lee House at no cost to our guests through-out the years. [email protected] for any questions on how to donate or volunteer. Stay bright this holiday season and spread good cheer!

Address

Niantic, CT
06357

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

860.739.6070

Website

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