Visiting the Nathan Lester House is always like taking a step back in history, but this July 4, the feeling will be even more pronounced as the Ledyard Historical Society is sponsoring an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration on the house’s grounds from 1 to 4 p.m. The general public is invited, as Nathan Lester House caretaker Andrea Buka has organized the event and activities for all participants.
“We’re encouraging people to bring a picnic, and we’re providing dessert and drinks,” Buka said. “Then at 2 o’clock we’re going to start bocce and croquet tournaments and we’ll also be playing kickball. And if it rains we’re going to move indoors and play jacks and charades and checkers and chess and things like that. So it’s like going back 100 years or so and enjoying what people used to do for fun.”
Buka, along with members of the historical society, will be stationed in various rooms of the house and in the barn to speak and answer questions as people take self-guided tours around the historic premises.
Built in 1793, on 110 acres of land, the Nathan Lester House is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places and is protected from development. The property stayed in the family until 1880, then went through several owners until 1906, when Dr. Graves, a botanist at Connecticut College, purchased the house and, with his wife, is credited as the first owner who began taking measures to preserve the house for historical purposes. In the 1970s the Graveses’ daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Norbert Hill, sold the house to the town and the property was soon after recognized on the National Register. Buka also noted that the house is not only of historical significance because it has been so well-preserved, but also because of the man who first built it.
“The Lesters were one of the founding families, and [Nathan] was a pretty wealthy farmer and that’s why he was able to build such a beautiful house,” Buka said. “He also gained notoriety for being a real upstanding citizen. He was the local quartermaster during the Revolutionary War and he lost his older brother in the battle at Fort Griswold. So in today’s terms he would probably be one of the town’s leaders, like a town council member.”
Buka also noted that the house’s grounds are usually enough to attract handfuls of visitors daily throughout the warmer months to walk their dogs, hike along the trails, and wander through the Great Oak Garden.
“It’s going to be relaxing and fun,” Buka said. “You know some people are familiar with the property and some aren’t, so if you’ve never been here or if you have, come and explore and take a look. You can bring a picnic, you can hike and play games, and you can learn all about the house.”