2^nd ANNUAL DINNER AND LECTURE

Friday, May 29 at 6 pm in the Old Lyme Senior Center

The OLHSI is organizing a lecture by John Pfeiffer, "Slavery in Southeastern Connecticut: A View from the Lymes."  Dr. Pfeiffer will detail how Northern slavery, which began in the Puritan settlement in New England, first focused on the Native population and then involved the trade and importation of African slaves. During the 17^th and 18^th century, slavery was a legitimate way of life for white Christians in southeastern Connecticut. Throughout the debate on its morality, slavery persisted in southeastern Connecticut until it was no longer economically profitable.

The evening will begin with a catered dinner of steak and chicken Marsala (vegetarian dinners are available on request), catered by Coffee's Country Market. Beer and wine will be served. The cost is $30 per person, payable to the Old Lyme Historical Society. Reservations are required and may be made in person at the OLHSI office during office hours or by calling the OLHSI.

Old LYME'S UNIQUE HISTORY COMES ALIVE IN 2008

Dear Friends,

Less than four years after its establishment, the Old Lyme Historical Society has grown from a tiny core group to an association with more than 165 paying members. As our membership has expanded, so have the programs - tours, lectures, exhibits, and publications - we produce in an effort to preserve and analyze Old Lyme’s social, economic, and political past. At the start of a new year, we are pleased to describe some highlights from 2008:

• Last February we continued our series of lively, engaging winter dinner lectures on the history of Old Lyme and its environs with a lecture and slide presentation, "Privateers on the Shoreline," by town historian John Pfeiffer.

• In May we obtained our own office, in the Genealogy Room at the Old Lyme–Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. Open in the morning three days a week, the office has helped increase our visibility.

• In September we marked the 70th anniversary of the hurricane of 1938 by creating an exhibit attended by 800 people, hosting a reception, and publishing our third monograph - The Hurricane of 1938: Old Lyme Remembers (see page 2 of this newsletter).

• Also continuing in 2008 was our popular program of walking tours. In November Dr. Pfeiffer led "The Graves of Seafaring Old Lyme", at Duck River Cemetery (see pages 5-6).

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the financial backing of the Town of Old Lyme, nor without the help of our supporters. We look forward to offering many more opportunities to explore and savor Old Lyme’s rich history.

With best wishes for 2009,

Alison C. Mitchell
Chair, Old Lyme Historical Society