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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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Created by Barbara Jo McGrath, 2007-8 All Rights Reserved |
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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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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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To Contact Us:
The Thomas Lee House and Little Boston Schoolhouse are located at 228 West Main Street in Niantic, CT, .25 miles from Exit 72 (Rocky Neck Connector) off I-95. Telephone: (860) 739-6070 |
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Membership
Your membership helps to support the Society’s programs, publications and events, as well as the preservation of its properties. Please consider joining today. |
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Local History
The Town of East Lyme, originally part of the settlements of Lyme and New London, was set off and incorporated in 1839. With forests and rolling hills in the north, and embracing Niantic Bay to the south, the town has long been home to a diverse population. |
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Current Happenings
FOURTH GRADE COLONIAL PROGRAM, May 6th,8th, 13th and 15th A hands-on educational program for elementary school students at the Lee House, with costumed role-players explaining aspects of daily life to students from East Lyme’s elementary schools. There are also farm animals, courtesy of some of our town’s farmers.
ANNUAL MEETING, June 7 th, 6:00 p.m. Picnic on the grounds of the Thomas Lee House, followed by a (brief) meeting. Come share an evening with your fellow members, hear updates on the activities of the Society, and vote for your Board of Directors. BYOB.
OPEN HOUSE, June 14th 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Once again, the Society will be participating in the statewide Open House Day. You can tour the Lee House and Little Boston School House, and meet the Lee family, as costumed re- enactors participate in everyday activities from the past. Captain Elisha Lee, along with his wife Abigail and household slave Viola, will be present to talk about the French and Indian War, and Lieutenant Ezra Lee will share his experiences in the Revolutionary War. Thomas Lee II’s daughter Pheobe will also appear. Members of East Lyme High School’s Leo Club will help to recreate the classroom experience at the School House.
Join us, and share everyday activities such as candle making and butter churning. Farm animals will be on the grounds, and there will be a chance to ride in an oxcart. Traditional refreshments will be available, as well. |
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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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East Lyme is also home to the Smith-Harris House, a c. 1845 farmhouse and museum. For more information, visit:
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Save the Dates! July 5th and 6th
Our ANNUAL FLEA MARKET (formerly known as the Crafts and Collectibles Sale) will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 5-6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Vendor spaces are going fast, so let us know if you would like to save a spot. Items for the tag sale may be dropped off between 1 and 4 p.m., Tuesday the 1st through Thursday the 3rd. PLEASE, no clothes, computers, TVs, exercise equipment or carpets. Volunteers are always welcome. You can help sort and price tag sale items, work at the food table, help park cars, or even give tours of the Lee house. If you would like to take part, or need more information, let us know at: |
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Essays by Wilbur Beckwith
Wilbur Beckwith is the East Lyme Town Historian, as well as the Historian of the East Lyme Historical Society. He has been working on a series of essays chronicling the Lee family, from the time of their arrival from England in the 1640s up through the 18th century. We are happy to be able to share the first of these essays, The First Lee in America, with you at this time. Look for more in the future! |
