Old Lyme Historical Society’s officers for 2014: from left, Mark Lander, co-chair; Tim Griswold, co-chair; Martha Hansen, secretary; Carol Winters, treasurer.
During the tenth annual meeting on June 9, the Old Lyme Historical Society members celebrated a wide variety of accomplishments in their new home at 55 Lyme Street. The officers, framed by a display of old photographs and the 1920s stage backdrop, thanked the Board of Trustees, the membership and the community for their support in making it possible to purchase the historic Lyme Street property that was previously home to Old Lyme’s Grange #162. Tim Griswold, co-chair, also thanked former Old Lyme Grange member Norman Stitham for his continued support of the Old Lyme Historical Society.
Some of the year’s accomplishments cited were the publication of the popular community “Now and Then” calendar showing archived photos of local sites juxtaposed with contemporary photos of the same, and the “Noteworthy Houses of Old Lyme” poster and booklet. In March the Society held its third antiques appraisal fair, “Vintage!”, which provided scholarships to two high school students, David Muckle and David Peck, who plan to study history in college.
The ever-popular annual spring dinner lecture by town historian Dr. John (Ned) Pfeiffer was titled “The Grange and the Agrarian History of Old Lyme.” He discussed the important role the Old Lyme Grange played in the community over the years. The Old Lyme Historical Society joined with the Connecticut River Museum and the Historical Societies of Old Saybrook and Essex to celebrate the bi-centennial of the British raid on Connecticut River shipping in the War of 1812 with the “Light up the Night” bonfire event by the river on Ferry Road.
Board member and publicity chair Catherine Christiano received the Chairmen’s Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the Old Lyme Historical Society. She designed the Old Lyme Historical Society seal, illustrated the publication “Poverty Island” and promoted the Society through timely publicity.
The following new board members were voted in and welcomed: Kevin Cole, Arthur “Skip” Beebe, Bob DiNapoli, Ned Farman, Heather Dillenbeck and Dick Miller. Sadly, Heather Dillenbeck passed away unexpectedly the next day. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends; she will be greatly missed. Outgoing board members Barbara Bair, Catherine Christiano, Bob Dunn, John Flower, Joanne Hedwall, and Helen Scott were thanked for their hard work and commitment to the Society.
A few years ago the Society began collecting oral histories from senior citizens in town. Several of these interviews are now available on the organization’s website, www.oldlymehistoricalsociety.org. Since 2005 the society has published six monographs and books that offer rich histories of the town’s residents, places, and customs. Some of these publications have gone into second and third printings.
The society welcomes new members and additional volunteers. To become a member, visit the membership page on the website, www.oldlymehistoricalsociety.org, or call the office at (860) 434-0684.
For opportunities to volunteer, check the Society’s web page on the Old Lyme-Lyme Volunteer Connection website, www.volunteer.truist.com/ollvolunteer.
The Old Lyme Historical Society can also be followed on Facebook.
The website also serves as a resource for historical information and for details and sales of the society’s publications.