Photos by C. Christiano. Old Lyme Historical Society Co-Chairs Mark Lander (left) and Tim Griswold (right) address the crowd gathered to celebrate the purchase of the Old Lyme Grange by the Society.
Standing on the stage of the Old Lyme Grange on Lyme Street, Co-Chairman of the Old Lyme Historical Society and former Old Lyme First Selectman Tim Griswold raised high a glass of champagne Friday afternoon and announced to the small crowd gathered before him, “We have done it!”
Tim Griswold pours the celebratory champagne.
The occasion was a celebration of the official transfer of The Grange to the OLHS, which had occurred earlier that day at the real estate closing.
The OLHS had been conducting a ‘Buy The Grange’ fundraising campaign in an attempt to purchase The Grange since the end of last year, when the Grange announced its closure in Old Lyme. The OLHS had determined that the historic building lends itself well to the Society’s current needs as a permanent exhibit space, lecture hall, and venue for community meetings and receptions.
Members of the OLHS drink champagne to celebrate the acquisition of the The Grange by the Society.
Old Lyme Historical Society Co-Chair Mark Lander told the audience that “A great deal of gratitude” was owed to Griswold, who had been the driving force behind the project and responsible for “coordinating things.” Lander commented that the Society had an “exciting few years” ahead of it as the organization converted the building to their needs.
Lander told LymeLine that “Modifications are necessary” to create archive space for the Society, but nothing was concluded yet as to “how or where.” He added, “We hope to open the building to the public in the next few months,” but noted, “There are no specific plans yet.”
The Old Lyme Grange building on Lyme Street
The OLHS’s mission is to collect, preserve and interpret the rich history of Old Lyme and its environs in this historic building. The Society is a non-profit corporation and recognized by the IRS for 501©3 status. Tax-deductible donations can still be sent to the OLHS @ P.O. Box 352 Old Lyme, CT. 06371.