We invite you to celebrate our 70th Anniversary with us, by visiting the new exhibit of objects from our organization archives. As part of our efforts to share EHS collections objects with the community, we will present two special, quarterly exhibits in cases at the Essex Library (33 West Ave.). These objects will be available to view during the Library’s regular hours operation.

By serving the Essex, Centerbrook and Ivoryton Community for 70 years, Essex Historical Society (EHS) celebrates its own history in 2025.   In 1955, a group of concerned citizens rallied at town hall meetings to save Hills Academy, the brick, two-story 1832 schoolhouse on Prospect Street.  The structure suffered from years of hard use and neglect, being slated for demolition later that year.  The group called themselves “Essex Historical Society” and purchased the structure for $1 from the Town of Essex, thus shaping EHS’s ‘origin story.’

The Essex Library exhibits will rotate out again in July, so please visit the cases to see the current showcased items.