Monthly Archives: April 2014

Exhibition Commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 at the CT River Museum

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As part of the 200th anniversary of the British Raid on Essex, the Connecticut River Museum is hosting a traveling fine art exhibit by members of the American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA).  Twenty-five paintings by 16 different artists illustrate the various arenas of military action that unfolded during this War which was largely fought on the water.

The exhibit is comprised of three theaters of war: the oceans; the Great Lakes; and the bays, estuaries, sounds and rivers of the Eastern United States.  The paintings include oils and watercolors, and depict scenes of famous engagements as well as lesser known vessels and locales.  While many of the works of art present traditional views of the great navy vessels on the high seas or in action, others feature more personal views of men, giving the war a human face.

The American Society of Marine Artists was founded in 1978 by a small group of professional artists, who shared a love for all things maritime.  The Connecticut River Museum is delighted to have teamed with ASMA for this themed exhibit.

The Connecticut River Museum is one of five national venues in which this exhibit will travel.  It will be on display during the bicentennial of the April, 1814 British Raid on Essex.  The Raid has been the subject of considerable research and attention at the Museum in recent years and will culminate during the spring of 2014 with this special exhibit along with a series of related programs and events.

For more information on the exhibition and related programs, visit ctrivermuseum.org.  The Connecticut River Museum is located at 67 Main Street, Essex and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays.

Large Crowd Turns Out to Commemorate British Raid on Essex Ships 200 Years Ago

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Mark Lander dressed inhistorical costume reads during the 'Light Up the Night' celebrations Tuesday evening. Photos by Michaelle Pearson.

Old Lyme Historical Society Co-President Mark Lander, dressed in period costume, reads during the ‘Light Up the Night’ celebrations Tuesday evening. Photos by Michaelle Pearson.

REVISED 4/9/14: At 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday April 8, a goodly crowd gathered at the edge of the Connecticut River in Old Lyme to commemorate the bicentennial of the  1814 British raid on Essex.

Cannon on the boardwalk.

A cannon on the boardwalk serves as a reminder of the times of yesteryear.

“Light Up the Night” began with a drummer, who called the crowd to attention. Then the bonfire was lit and cannons fired as Mark Lander of the Old Lyme Historical Society read a narrative of the historic events.

Members of the Old Lyme Fire Department help keep the bonfire under control.

Members of the Old Lyme Fire Department help keep the bonfire under control.

Two hundred years ago to the day, the British Navy quietly slipped into the town of Essex (then called Pettipaug), looted it of arms and supplies and set fire to 27 American vessels before taking advantage of the swiftly running current to escape downriver to the Long Island Sound.  Along the shore, the citizens lit bonfires in an attempt to illuminate the river so cannons could be aimed at the departing British.

The event was one of a series of activities coordinated by the 1814 Bicentennial Committee.  Bonfires also took place at Gardiner’s Landing in Old Saybrook and on the water-side green at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex.

Mark Lander continues his reading.

Mark Lander continues his reading.

Old Lyme Historical Society Co-President Mark Lander related how the British Squadron blockading the Sound targeted River privateers and merchant shipping for destruction in a daring nighttime raid on an undefended and unprepared citizenry.

This evocative event was intended to inspire area residents to imagine the emotions of fear, frustration, and desperation experienced by the people who lived here in 1814.

“Light Up the Night” was sponsored by the Connecticut River Museum, and the Historical Societies of Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Essex.

For more information about this and other historic events, visit www.battlesiteessex.org, ctrivermuseum.org or oldlymehistoricalsociety.org

Old Lyme Historical Society Hosts “Light Up the Night” Tonight, Commemorates 1812 British Raid on CT River

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Light Up the Night Event Logo

The Old Lyme Historical Society invites the public to “Light Up the Night”, a bi-centennial commemoration of the British raid on Connecticut River shipping during the War of 1812.  This free event takes place on Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Lyme dinghy dock along the Connecticut River, near the DEEP Marine Headquarters on Ferry Road. There will be a bonfire and on-site storytellers.

“Light Up the Night” takes place 200 years to the day after the evening in April 8, 1814 when the British forces made their escape downriver from Essex harbor where they had burned 27 vessels earlier that day.  In 1814, as darkness fell, local militia and citizens set bonfires on both sides of the river in an effort to locate the boats carrying the retreating sailors and marines.

“Light Up the Night” is sponsored by the Connecticut River Museum and co-sponsored by the historical societies of Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, and Essex.  The event is one of a series of activities coordinated by the 1814 Bicentennial Committee.

Bonfires are planned to take place at Gardiner’s Landing in Old Saybrook, at the dinghy dock in Old Lyme, and on the water-side green at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex.  On-site storytellers will relate how the British Squadron blockading the Sound targeted River privateers and merchant shipping for destruction in a daring nighttime raid on an undefended and unprepared citizenry.

These evocative events will inspire area resident to imagine the emotions of fear, frustration, and desperation experienced by the people who lived here in 1814.

For more information, visit www.ctrivermuseum.org or www.battlesiteessex.org.  “Light Up the Night” has a theme song!  To help you get into the spirit of the event, view the music video “The Privateers of Pettipaug” at www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9UCGK6Ww4c.

If you enjoy these types of events, consider becoming a member of the Old Lyme Historical Society.  For more information about membership and the Society’s activities and publications, explore the web site www.oldlymehistoricalsociety.org or stop by the office in the Genealogy Room at The Old Lyme–Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. Hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

To volunteer with the Old Lyme Historical Society, look for opportunities on the Old Lyme-Lyme Volunteer Connection website http://volunteer.truist.com/ollvolunteer/volunteer/.

 

Sunshine of Lyme Wins 2014 Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year, Age 13-16

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Braiden Sunshine of Lyme performs at the NACMAI competition in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Braiden Sunshine of Lyme performs at the NACMAI competition in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Last month, Braiden Sunshine of Lyme was named the 2014 Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year for age 13-16 in the ‘New Country’ category  by the North American Country Music Associations International (NACMAI) at their national competition held at Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Nacmai_trophy_2014_301KBSunshine had previously participated in the Southern New England Country Music Awards (SNECMA), which covers Connecticut and RI, where in August he won the title of 2013 Male Vocalist of the Year in his age group 13-16 for New Country Music.
He then moved on to the New England completion and in November won his category again.  All state winners are eligible to compete in the National competition in Tennessee.
There were three main genres of music being performed in Pigeon Forge; Gospel, Bluegrass and Country (Traditional and New Country).  Sunshine competed in the New Country category as it was the closest to his style of music.  The performers took the stage at the Country Tonight Theatre every eight minutes from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. each night Monday to Saturday.
Each day, Sunshine and his mother, Liz, watched some of the performers, making a point to see all the other Connecticut performers.
After the performances, Sunshine would practice and join in the jams in the hotel conference rooms.  Liz comments, “This was the real fun, getting 20 performers in a circle playing and singing, building off each other.  They would go around the circle taking turns as to who would lead the next song.  It was amazing to watch and outstanding to listen to.  There is an incredible camaraderie that these artist have with one another [in that] they almost don’t have to speak they just follow the music.”  She adds, “The jam sessions went late into the night.  Braiden would tell me that his fingers were in agony from playing for five hours straight.”
During the competition, Sunshine’s performance caught the eye of Mike Jennings and Sunshine was asked to be on the Nashville Spotlight Television Show.
Locally, you can see Sunshine perform on April 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Buckley House, 111 Bank St., New London or Captains Pizza on Sunday, April 27, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Congratulations, Braiden!

Old Lyme Historic District Commission Meets This Morning

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Notice is hereby given that the Old Lyme Historic District Commission (HDC) will hold Public Hearings today, Monday, April 7, beginning at 9 a.m. in the second floor conference room at the Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall, 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT. The HDC will hear and act on the following Certificate of Appropriateness applications:

  • 75 Lyme Street, Awwa: fence
  • 26 Lyme Street, Pedersen: fence

The public is invited to attend and express its views.