For years the Stonington Historical Society has worked cooperatively with the Ledyard Historical Society on various projects. The two groups, which maintain several historic sites in their respective towns, have worked tirelessly to help preserve and bring to light the rich tradition and historical importance of southeastern Connecticut.
Stonington has a rich maritime history, with claims to the discovery of Antarctica. And just to the north, Ledyard is unique among its Connecticut counterparts as it is the only town in the state that owns and oversees its own historic district, which includes the Nathan Lester House and the water powered Up-Down Sawmill.
In the past year both historical societies have celebrated a number of successes, such as the public opening and official naming of the Janice W. Bell Historical Research Room at the Bill Library in Ledyard. And recently the two groups were happy to lend a helping hand to each other once again as the Stonington Historical Society donated a number artifacts to the Ledyard Historical Society, including two large harness floor looms with original beams and brake still intact; four harness floor looms with original warp beams; a cross-frame swift; and a weavers bench. The items are thought to date back to the late 1700s and are on display on the top floor of the Nathan Lester House in Gales Ferry.
Mary-Beth Baker, executive director of the Stonington Historical Society, said, “The Stonington Historical Society was pleased to give to the Ledyard Historical Society several colonial-era artifacts, including two so-called barn looms. These items had been on loan for many years in an exhibit at the Ledyard Society’s Nathan Lester House, a historic house museum in Gales Ferry. In making this decision, the Stonington Historical Society recognizes that its sister society in Ledyard had taken great care of these treasures for many years and had a perfect setting to display and interpret them to the public.”
With a very successful year gone past the Ledyard Historical Society anticipates another stellar year to come, which will start with its annual meeting and potluck dinner. The event will take place on Friday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Cy Anderson Fellowship Hall in the Ledyard Congregational Church and will feature a variety of home-cooked foods and desserts, a special guest speaker, and a silent auction.
Speaking will be noted antiques expert Lewis Scranton. Scranton is a well-known antiques dealer and has shown his pieces at premiere antiques shows throughout New England and New York.
Scranton will focus his talk on paint-decorated tinware and supplement his lecture with some pieces from his own collection. Those who attend are also encouraged to bring in their own painted tinware to show Scranton. After the presentation, a number of pieces of hand painted tinware created by Sylvia Baxter in the 1950s will be up for silent auction.
For more information, contact either the Bill Library at 464-9912 or the Gales Ferry Library at 464-6943.