Old Lyme in New London County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Old Lyme
As early as the 1640’s settlers from Saybrook cleared and planted land on the east side of the Connecticut River in what is now Old Lyme. The first recorded grant of land, in 1649, was to Matthew Griswold in the Black Hall quarter. By 1665 the inhabitants on the east bank, “… desiring to be a plantation by themselves: doe declare that they have a competency of Lands to entertaine thirty families”. And agreed with those on the west bank upon a “loving parting” by which a separate community was established. Two years later the General Court of Connecticut ordered that “… ye Plantation on ye East side ye River over agt Say-brooke for ye future be named Lyme.” The settlement, some eighty square miles, included the present towns of Old Lyme, East Lyme, Lyme and part of Salem. The General Court gave consent to Lyme in 1678 to found a church society, which was not formally organized for fifteen years.
( North face )
Meeting House Hill, east of Duck River, was the site of two 17th century meetinghouses and one of the 18th. Samuel Belcher designed a fourth, built in 1817, to face the green at the south end of Lyme Street. After it burned in 1907, a replica became as favored a subject for artists as was the original. Seaborne trade began in 1650 with exportation of barrel staves on the ship TRYALL, starting a lucrative commerce with the West Indies. In the 19th century Lyme was divided four towns. This comminute in 1855 was named South Lyme, renamed Old Lyme two years later. From a summer colony of artists at the turn of the century evolved the Lyme School of Art, the Lyme Art Association, and the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. Nearby on Lyme Street stands the Florence Griswold House of 1817, which lodged the artists and is now the headquarters of the Lyme Historical Society, where many of their works may be seen.
Erected by the Town of Old Lyme
the Lyme Historical Society
and the Connecticut Historical Commission
1979
Erected 1979.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1649.
Location. 41° 19.055′ N, 72° 19.784′ W. Marker is in Old Lyme, Connecticut, in New London County. Marker is at the intersection of Lyme Street and High School Road, on the left when traveling north on Lyme Street. Located in front of Old Lyme Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 52 Lyme Street, Old Lyme CT 06371, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Lyme Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); American Legion Post 113 Memorial (approx. 1˝ miles away); Old Saybrook (approx. 2.4 miles away); Battlefields of the Pequot War (approx. 2˝ miles away); Lighthouses and River Pilots (approx. 2˝ miles away); The Ferry (approx. 2˝ miles away); Welcome to Fort Saybrook Monument Park (approx. 2˝ miles away); Connecticut Valley Railroad Roundhouse & Turntable Site (approx. 2˝ miles away).
Also see . . .
1. Town of Old Lyme. (Submitted on May 7, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Old Lyme, Connecticut on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 7, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 7, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 588 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 7, 2013, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.