Join your friends and neighbors with the return of Essex Historical Society’s (EHS) popular Winter Lecture Series, hosted by our partners at Essex Meadows.  This year’s theme highlights the American Revolution.  The Series continues on Sunday, January 12, at 3pm with the illustrated talk, “By Land and Sea: The Connecticut River During the American Revolution.”  Renowned maritime historian Jerry Roberts recounts several tales of heroism and local ingenuity in the Valley/Shore region during the American Revolution. Learn about development of the nation’s first submarine, the construction and victories of warships in Essex and the heroic tales of local men who fought in battles from Bunker Hill to Saratoga, and more.

The illustrated talk is free and open to the public, held in beautiful Hamilton Hall at Essex Meadows, 30 Bokum Road, Essex.  For more information, please contact EHS at 860-767-0681 or mjosefiak@essexhistory.org

With a career in maritime history from the “Intrepid” Museum to the Connecticut River Museum, Mr. Roberts is the author of several books, articles and works of genealogy.

EHS’s Winter Lecture Series highlights local history during the American Revolution, paving the way for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of the United States in 2026.  This 250th anniversary is also known as the Semiquincentennial (a.k.a. Semi-Q) celebrates all of our country’s history from Indigenous peoples to the present.  Please stay tuned for more collaborative 250th programming at the town and state partners!

Join your friends and neighbors with the return of Essex Historical Society’s (EHS) popular Winter Lecture Series, hosted by our partners at Essex Meadows.  This year’s theme highlights the American Revolution.  The Series begins on Sunday, January 5, at 3pm with the illustrated talk, “Tories, Spies and Traitors: Divided Loyalty in Revolutionary Connecticut” presented by Annie O’Brien, from the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History.

Ms. O’Brien’s talk asks, “Which side are you on?”  That’s the question that every single person in Connecticut had to answer in 1775, as the thirteen colonies began a rebellion against British rule. Loyalty was not only a matter of words or opinion. For soldiers and civilians alike, loyalty could mean loss of fortune, of friends, and even of life. This presentation reveals stories— some well- known, some obscure— of Nutmeggers who risked and sacrificed to support their chosen side.

The illustrated talk is free and open to the public, held in beautiful Hamilton Hall at Essex Meadows, 30 Bokum Road, Essex.  For more information, please contact EHS at 860-767-0681 or mjosefiak@essexhistory.org

With an education and interpretation background at Avon Public Schools and the Mark Twain House, Annie O’Brien presently serves as a Museum Educator at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, developing and teaching educational programs for school and adult audiences.

EHS’s Winter Lecture Series highlights local history during the American Revolution, paving the way for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of the United States in 2026.  This 250th anniversary is also known as the Semiquincentennial (a.k.a. Semi-Q) celebrates all of our country’s history from Indigenous peoples to the present.  Please stay tuned for more collaborative 250th programming at the town and state partners!

All are welcome to attend the EHS Annual Meeting on Sunday, September 15 at Essex Yacht Club (3:00 - 5:00 pm). We will celebrate the year’s success and discuss plans for continuing to strengthen our community’s bond with the rich historic past of the three villages of Centerbrook, Essex and Ivoryton.