Old Lyme Historical Society Celebrates Past Achievements, Looks Forward To The Future

A Press Release from Old Lyme Historical Society

At its ninth annual meeting on June 10, the Old Lyme Historical Society celebrated a wide variety of accomplishments from the past year and the years preceding it. 

Last fall, using photos from its archives, the society produced a community calendar titled “Then and Now.” Each month was sponsored by the owner of the site featured in the archived photograph, juxtaposed with a contemporary one. 

In December the archives were temporarily moved from a private residence to a more secure, climate-controlled space in Old Lyme Town Hall; efforts are under way to obtain a larger space. 

In March the society held its second antiques appraisal, “Vintage,” a scholarship fundraiser that is now a popular annual event. This spring also marked the annual dinner lecture by town historian Dr. John (Ned) Pfeiffer, who discussed the preservation of the town’s historical and cultural resources. 

A few years ago the Society began collecting oral histories from senior citizens in town; several of these interviews are now available on the organization’s website, www.oldlymehistorical.org. 

And since 2005 the society has published six monographs and books that offer rich histories of the town’s residents, places, and customs. Some of these publications have gone into a second and third printing.

At the annual meeting Mark Lander was elected a new co-chair of the society’s board, joining officers Tim Griswold (co-chair), Martha Hansen, secretary, and Carol Winters, treasurer. Board member and membership chair Michaelle Pearson received the Chairmen’s Award in recognition of her significant contributions. These include co-authoring (with her husband, Jim Lampos) the society’s bestselling publication Rum Runners, Governors, Beachcombers and Socialists and helping increase the organization’s membership.

The society welcomes new members and additional volunteers. To become a member, visit the membership page on the website, www.oldlymehistorical.org, or call the office at (860) 434-0684. 

For opportunities to volunteer, please check the society’s page on the Old Lyme-Lyme Volunteer Connection website, www.volunteer.truist.com/ollvolunteer. 

The society welcomes visitors to its office in the Genealogy Room of the Old Lyme-Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library and encourages Facebook members to “Like” its new page there. The website also serves as a resource for historical information and for details about the society’s publications.