The Essex Historical Society Has A Lot Going On

ESSEX, CT — A message from the Essex Historical Society:

Join your friends and neighbors as Essex Historical Society (EHS) Celebrates Centerbrook as part of our ongoing collaboration with Essex Land Trust (ELT), known as the multi-year Follow the Falls project. All of these events can be enjoyed safely, either from home or outside.

Virtual Talk with Connecticut River Museum, August 24, 6pm

Join EHS Director Melissa Josefiak for a virtual talk on the history of the Falls River, the west-to-east stream that unites Essex's three villages. Learn how the Falls River affected the settlement patterns, early industry and development of Centerbrook, Essex and Ivoryton, united by a shared waterway. Images, maps and virtual resources will help illustrate this virtual talk, presented via Zoom, on Tuesday, August 24 at 6pm The talk is presented as part of the Connecticut River Museum's online CRM Talks Series. Please visit their website to register and learn more, https://essexhistory.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d9764adda034de2b769a81a3b&id=07b67f1f66&e=fd4738df32.

Centerbrook Walking Tour, Sept. 3, 6pm

History hits the streets! Join EHS for a walk featuring Essex’s oldest village. Learn about Centerbrook’s transition from its early farming days as “Center Saybrook” to its later manufacturing development powered by the Falls River, truly a crossroad to innovation. $5 per tour; free to EHS members. The general public and families welcome. Please meet at Essex Elementary School, 108 Main Street, Centerbrook. To maintain social distancing, the tour will feature individual audio devices with disposable earpieces so you can hear all of the stories and fun facts from your guide – without straining to hear or getting too close to your fellow walkers. These easy-to-use devices are funded in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. The tour is limited to the first 30 walkers. Please email EHS Director Melissa Josefiak to reserve your place or learn more,

mjosefiak@essexhistory.org (mailto:mjosefiak@essexhistory.org) .

Lobster Bake Gala, September 12, 4-6pm

Celebrate the history and natural beauty of the town’s Great Falls area with a riverside soiree and Lobster Bake, hosted by Essex Historical Society and Essex Land Trust, held near the falls at Centerbrook Architects, 67 Main Street, Centerbrook, on Sunday, September 12, 4-6 pm (Rain or Shine). Learn about the groups’ second major initiative of the collaborative “Follow the Falls” project, investigating how early dams, industry and essential geographical features helped develop the village’s bustling commercial and transportation history. This tented, riverside event will provide attendees with access not usually available to the public, including the site’s new fishway.

This event highlights the new illustrated booklet on Centerbrook and the Virtual 3D Flyover of a recreated tour through the village in 1910. Thank you to presenting sponsors Overabove and Centerbrook Architects for creating these amazing ways to access local history. The Lobster Bake’s catering is provided by Flanders Fish Market, $95 per person. Event limited to first 100 registrants; reservations due by August 27. To purchase tickets, please visit https://essexhistory.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d9764adda034de2b769a81a3b&id=36c9cc2617&e=fd4738df32.

For more information on these events, please call 860-767-0681 or visit https://essexhistory.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?

Need more Centerbrook Celebration? Then save the date of September 15 for An Evening at Spencer's Lofts, presented by HOPE Partnership and featuring an Essex Historical Society exhibit. For more info: HOPE Partnership | Affordable Housing (hope-ct.org) (https://essexhistory.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?

This press release was produced by the Essex Historical Society . The views expressed here are the author's own.