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Essex Historical Society P.O. Box 123 - 22 Prospect St Essex, CT 06426 (860) 767-0681 fredsox1@sbcglobal.net website

Essex Historical Society

P.O. Box 123 - 22 Prospect St
Essex, CT 06426

(860) 767-0681

fredsox1@sbcglobal.net

The Essex Historical Society was formed and incorporated in 1955. According to news reports at the time, the town was about to announce its intention to sell Hills Academy. It was no longer useful to the Town for classroom space and had been rented to various tenants for many years. A concerned group sprung into action and the first unofficial meeting of the Board of Directors was held at Essex Town Hall on Friday, December 10, 1954. Edwin B. Pratt was nominated President, John A. Bjerkoe, Vice President, Elizabeth J. Mundie became treasurer and William H. Matthews, curator. The newly formed Essex Historical Society purchased the building from the Town for one dollar.

From 1955 to 1985, Hills Academy served as the Society’s meeting house, as home to its growing collection of Essex memorabilia, and as exhibit space depicting the story of Essex history. Then in 1985, the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities (known then as S.P.N.E.A. and now renamed Historic New England) deeded the Pratt House Museum on West Avenue to the Society and the focus of activity shifted to the Pratt family narrative.

Today, Pratt House continues to interpret 18th century farm life in Essex and the nine generations of Pratt Smithies, many of whom lived in the house. The barn houses changing exhibits and an early loom that is worked on by an award winning group of weavers. The beautiful meadow to the rear of the property is the site of the Community Garden and often the scene of antique car shows and old fashioned summer fairs.

Events

School's Out Strawberry Social

06/23/13

Membership Party!

05/19/13

Everyone’s invited to the EHS Membership Party! Members, bring your friends and your friends’ friends. Non-members, don’t be shy — stop by! If you love Essex, history or both, come join in on the fun; more is always merrier. We will be celebrating our community and springtime in Essex at the Pratt House on Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 4:00 pm. We will have our party hats on rain or shine — because with people like you, no rain can dampen our spirits! For more information, call 860-767-5011 or browse www.essexhistory.org.

History of Essex Yacht Clubs - Take Two

04/25/13

Terry Stewart, Commodore of the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club (ECYC), will host the Essex Historical Society (EHS) sponsored "History of the Essex Yacht Clubs - Take Two" to learn more about the six of the local yacht clubs. The maritime history of Essex is vast and includes evidence of early clipper shipbuilding to steamships, and ultimately to the past and present pride in the varied recreational boating opportunities for all ages. ECYC and EHS will bring together a distinctive panel of speakers who will each talk about the club they represent, how it has evolved over the years and where they believe Essex boating will be in the future. The panel: Dennis Walker, Essex Corinthian Yacht Club; George Graf, Essex Yacht Club; Jim Clarke, Essex Boat Club; Ed Birch, Frostbite Yacht Club; Toby Doyle, Pettipaug Yacht Club; and Richard Holliday, Essex Station of the Cruising Club of America. Last year, burgees were exchanged unexpectedly for the first time in the history of the yacht clubs, so anything can happen when you gather people together who share a common bond of

A Medley of Connecticut Folktales

03/14/13

Biography

Battlesite Essex with Jerry Roberts

02/28/13

New research into the British Raid on Essex during the War of 1812 will be the subject of a talk by Connecticut River Museum executive director, Jerry Roberts. Roberts will present the latest findings including newly uncovered English and American eyewitness accounts, spicy details about traitors and the role of the US Navy and Marines.

Falls River Flood of 1982 � A Second Look

01/24/13

Essex, Connecticut – January 24, 2013 – In 1982, Essex experienced one of the most devastating floods that it has ever seen. Within three days’ time that June, an astronomical amount of rain bombarded the state. Running through Essex, the normally innocuous Falls River soon became swollen, tearing away its banks with the houses upon them. The Ivoryton Library and the Essex Historical Society are hosting “Falls River Flood of 1982 – A Second Look” at the Essex Town Hall on January 24, 2013 at 7 pm. Attendees will hear the intriguing story and details as told by Essex Town Historian, Chris Pagliuco. There will be a slide show as well as photos, newspaper articles, plaques and awards from the time. Guests are encouraged to tell their stories of the event. Refreshments will be served and there is no charge for admittance. For more information contact the Essex Historical Society at (860) 767-5011 or the Ivoryton Library at (860) 767-1252.

The Spinners Show Their Stuff

11/11/12

Take a look at the clothes you are sporting. It is most likely comprised of hundreds of spun threads, woven together into fabric. “So what?” you may ask, “a machine does this in its sleep.” Yet, as you may recall, these mindless machines were created to make our lives easier. Before the mass manufacturing of textiles, the processing of raw materials into fabric was much more labor intensive. After the fibers are gathered and prepared, they need to be spun into thread. (Think Sleeping Beauty’s spinning wheel.) Spinning fibers into a strong and uniform thread or yarn requires skill, practice and patience. The Spinners will be spinning their stuff at Hill’s Academy on November 11, 2012 from 1-4 pm. Stop by, sit and chit chat awhile as you watch the rhythmic, almost hypnotizing process of turning rough fiber material into sleek strands. The Spinners are looking forward to sharing their passion with you!