OLHSI seeks information on Old Lyme’s
merchants from the 1920s

This winter board members Jim Noyes and Jen Hillhouse made an intriguing discovery at the Old Lyme Grange Hall. They learned that the reverse side of the Grange’s stage backdrop features advertisements for businesses that were operating here in the 1920s. Four of the businesses - Speirs Plumbing and Heating, E.R. Champion & Sons insurance, Essex Savings Bank, and Reynolds Garage—are still operating, but the following ones have moved, merged, or closed:

*  Sterling's Taxi Service -- Lyme

*  W. Spicer Huntley, general merchandise -- Lyme

*  Daniel Moore, contractor and builder -- Lyme

*  Carleton F. Jewett, funeral director -- Lyme

*  Libby's Store, footwear and clothing -- Essex

*  S.G. Brown's Garage, Chrysler service and general repairing -- Lyme

*  Noble and Griswold, general merchandise, hay and grain -- Old Lyme

*  James Pharmacy -- Old Lyme and Old Saybrook

*  Chalkers Music Store -- Essex

*  Essex National Bank -- Essex

*  J.S. Daniels, Jr., contractor and builder -- Old Lyme

*  J.A. Rowland Co., general merchandise -- Lyme

*  George Weidler, electrical contractor -- Lyme

To follow up this discovery, we have launched a research project—one that will depend heavily on the assistance of people who were in Old Lyme in the 1920s. Anyone who has reminiscences about these merchants is encouraged to contact Jim (434-1389) or Jen (434-2901).

OLHSI’s continuing priorities:
publications, exhibits, community outreach

In 2005, the Old Lyme Historical Society was little more than an idea shared by a small group of people. Less than three years later, at 120 members strong, we have produced well-received exhibits, programs, and publications—all part of our mission to preserve and analyze Old Lyme’s social, civic, economic, and political past.

At the start of 2008, we are pleased to describe some of the highlights of the past year:
 

· In June we published our second monograph: This Ancient and Interesting Town, a reprint of an 1876 article in Harper’s magazine that describes some of Old Lyme’s best-known residents. The monograph is illustrated with etchings from the original article. Also last year, our first monograph—Poverty Island, a Depression-era memoir by Neri A. Clark—sold out, so we went into a second printing, which, like the first one, features illustrations by Old Lyme artist Catherine Christiano.

· Last year we continued our research project on the descendants of Old Lyme’s founding families, at least one-third of whom still have a presence here. The work will culminate in a monograph.

· Also in 2007 our popular program of local cemetery tours continued under the expert guidance of two historians, Hiram Maxim of Lyme and John Pfeiffer of Old Lyme. They led visits to Lord Cemetery, Duck River Cemetery, and two cemeteries—Ely Cemetery and a cemetery on Beaver Brook Road—where slaves are buried. Additional tours are planned for this year.

None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the financial support of the Town of Old Lyme, nor without the assistance of our members.

With your continued help,  financial and otherwise, we look forward to enabling everyone in Old Lyme—families and students, newcomers and long-time residents, year-round residents and visitors—to connect with our town’s rich history.

With best wishes for 2008,

Tom Schellens
Chairman,
Old Lyme Historical Society