Tag Archives: Old Lyme Historical Society

Old Lyme Historical Society Hosts Calendar Launch Event, Thursday

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A ‘Launch Party’ for the 2026 ‘Then & Now’ calendar is planned for Thursday, Nov. 20.

OLD LYME — On Thursday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Old Lyme Historical Society, Inc., (OLHSI) will be celebrating the release of its new 2026 ‘Then & Now’ Old Lyme Community Calendar at a free After Hours Launch Event at the OLHSI building at 55 Lyme St. in Old Lyme. All are welcome.

Wine, beer and soft drinks, along with light refreshments, will be offered. A raffle will also be held to benefit the OLHSI.

Calendars will be available for sale at $12 each.

This is the 14th year that the OLHSI has published this popular calendar, which incorporates a different set of photographs from the organization’s archives juxtaposing the historical images with contemporary ones of the same scene.

The images included in the calendar are a small sampling of the many interesting, archived photographs of Old Lyme establishments, landscapes, and scenes dating back to the beginning of the 20th century.

Each calendar month is sponsored by a different community organization and includes the dates of their events throughout the year. The intent is to highlight and assist in marketing activities occurring in Old Lyme in 2022 as well as remembering the past.

The 2026 ‘Then’ & Now ‘ Old Lyme Community Calendar was designed by James Meehan and edited by Michaelle Pearson. Contributors to the development of the 2026 Calendar were OLHSI Board Members; Reno Bolduc, Mary Dangremond, Eleanor Hufford, Nancy Mol, Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster, and Nicholas Westbrook.

The mission of the OLHSI is to “collect, preserve, interpret and promote the rich history” of Old Lyme.

To learn more about the OLHSI and its activities, visit www.oldlymehistoricalsociety.org or stop by the OLHSI office at 55 Lyme St. in Old Lyme.

Talk, Then Walk at Champlain North Open Space with Photographer Markham Starr, Nov. 22

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Markham Starr’s lectures always draw a large audience. This photo is from a previous talk by Starr. Photo courtesy of OLHS.

OLD LYME–Starting at noon on Saturday, Nov. 22, documentary photographer Markham Starr will lead a lecture at the Old Lyme Historical Society, 55 Lyme St., before setting out on a walk through the Champlain North Open Space on Wyckford Lane.

The event is presented by the Old Lyme Land Trust and the Old Lyme Historical Society.

Starr is a Connecticut resident and author of “Ceremonial Stonework: The Enduring Native American Presence on the Land.” 

The Land Trust in a press release said Native Americans built nearly two dozen distinct types of structures in the area, ranging from cairns to stone serpent effigies, that remain standing in long-abandoned woods. While Native American stonework is widely recognized out west and to the south, New England’s stonework remains obscure, having blended back into the woods.

Champlain North is located off Rte. 1 near the Old Lyme Inn. The Land Trust advised hikers to wear thick boots and consider a hiking stick.

Registration is requested through this link.

Old Lyme Historical Society Hosts Annual Fall Plant Sale, Sunday

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Potted perennials and annuals of many varieties will be on sale this weekend at the Old Lyme Historical Society‘s Annual Fall Plant Sale. Photo submitted by the Old Lyme Historical Society.

OLD LYME — The Old Lyme Historical Society hosts its Annual Fall Plant Sale Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The sale will be held at the Society‘s 55 Lyme Street location

Potted perennials and annuals of all types and sizes will be on sale at competitive prices.

Proceeds will support the mission of the Society, which is to collect, preserve, and interpret the rich history of Old Lyme, Conn. and its environs for the benefit of residents and visitors. 

Old Lyme Historical Society Starts 2025-26 Oral History Project with Joan Childs Clarke Interview

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Standing together in the Old Lyme Historical Society’s building on Lyme Street are Oral History Project Chair and film editor Jaymie Nickerson-Buckmaster, Joan Childs Clarke, Michaelle Pearson (interviewer), and James Meehan (camera and sound.) Photo by Beth Stewart.

OLD LYME—On Saturday, Sept. 20, the Old Lyme Historical Society (OLHS) interviewed Joan Childs Clarke to kick off their 2025-26 Oral History Project.

The Old Lyme Historical Society undertakes oral histories to preserve the voices and memories of people whose experiences bring the past to life. These first-hand accounts capture details of everyday life, community traditions, and significant events that may not appear in written records.

By recording and sharing personal stories, the OLHS help ensure that future generations can connect with and learn from the lived experiences of those who came before.

Interviews will run through Spring 2026 and will be viewable at www.oldlymehistorical.org.

Prior oral histories recorded by the OLHS can be viewed at this link. These include interviews with:

  • Ann Pierson
  • Old Lyme Fire Department
  • David McCulloch
  • Jeff Anderson
  • Tim Griswold
  • George Finley
  • Jane Marsh
  • Jane Luddington
  • Deke Cooksley

Old Lyme Historical Society Hosts Vintage Postcard Presentation by Jim Lampos, Aug. 18; All Welcome

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Historic postcards like these will be featured in Jim Lampos’s talk on Monday at the Old Lyme Historical Society.

OLD LYME — UPDATED 8/17 with details of where to see a preview of the postcards: On Monday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m., the Old Lyme Historical Society Incorporated (OLHSI) hosts an historic postcard presentation by Jim Lampos titled, “Having a Swell Time.”

The presentation will be followed by a Vintage Postcard Sale when a selection of ‘extras’ from a recently-purchased collection will be available for sale. The postcards variously offer views of Old Lyme streets, landmarks, and beaches circa 1902-1970.

Visit Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall to enjoy a preview of much of the postcard collection. A selection of the postcards is on display in the front foyer and behind first floor staircase.

The event will take place at the Society’s building at 55 Lyme St. in Old Lyme. All are welcome and admission is free.

This is another in a series of speaker events sponsored by the OLHSI.

There is no charge for admission but donations are welcome to the Carol Noyes Winters Scholarship Fund.