Activity

Take a trip down Main Street in Essex Village to capture the rich maritime history of 18th century “Potapaug,” its working waterfront and ship-building prominence in the early 19th century as well as its development as a beautiful visitor destination of today. Our tours meet at the "Foot of Main Street" in front of the CT River Museum and start at 5:00pm.  Walking tours are open to the public but we encourage pre-registration. We ask for a $10 donation per person and tours are FREE to active EHS 2026 members. Our walks last about an hour and are on mostly flat ground covering a little less than a mile.  We try to adapt our tours a bit based on our audience of the day, but if  you would like a fully customized tour, please contact our staff 860-767-0681 to arrange, giving us at least 3 weeks to arrange our guide scheduling. NEW DAY THIS YEAR! Summer 2026 walks will be on Saturdays: June 27, July 25, August 29 and September 26.

Program for kids and teens ages 10-18. Adult helpers are welcome & recommended for youth under 12 yrs. The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Each week, join us for a hands-on workshop where we’ll explore a different hobby, skill, or craft. Our second session is all about sewing! Join Andrea from Glimmering Girl Studio for a beginner’s sewing machine class! In this 3-hour workshop, participants will learn beginning sewing skills while making a mug rug, a tiny quilt just big enough for a beverage and a cookie. Students will learn to safely use a sewing machine as well as sustainable practices. All tools and supplies are provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their sewing machine if desired. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register.

The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Beat the afternoon heat, soak up the air conditioning, and join us for family-friendly movies that connect us with food, farms, & nature. Popcorn provided. See the Essex Library Website for Movie Titles, Descriptions, & Age Ratings.

We are happy to announce that we will be open during the Ivoryton Parade selling breakfast sandwiches. This is the first time we will participate in the parade as we are typically closed on this day. We will also set up a kids' table with complimentary bubbles, temporary tattoos and face glitter.

Program for kids ages 8-12. The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Each week, join us for a hands-on workshop where we’ll explore a different hobby, skill, or craft. Do you love animals? Ever wonder what it takes to keep a pet happy, healthy, and thriving? Join Zoe and Kerry from the Connecticut Humane Society for a fun, hands-on adventure into the world of pet care! Throughout this interactive program, kids will learn the ins and outs of pet ownership, reviewing what they already know about pets and building upon their knowledge to better understand what pets need to thrive in their environment. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register.

The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Beat the afternoon heat, soak up the air conditioning, and join us for family-friendly movies that connect us with food, farms, & nature. Popcorn provided. See the Essex Library Website for movie titles, descriptions & age ratings.

Register HERE. Join us virtually as we host nationally renowned textile expert Lynne Bassett, who will present an illustrated lecture entitled “Federalist Fathers and Republican Mothers: The Fashions of John and Abigail Adams.” Through a variety of different primary artifacts, Bassett will show how both early and contemporary American have expressed their national and personal character through their clothing choices. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required for all virtual programs. About Lynne Bassett Lynne Zacek Bassett is an independent scholar specializing in American historic costume and textiles. Bassett graduated with honors with a degree in American studies from Mount Holyoke College and earned a master’s degree in costume and textile history from the University of Connecticut. From 1995‒2000 she was the curator of textiles and fine arts at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Since going independent, Bassett has undertaken a number of large projects, including award-winning exhibitions and publications on textile topics ranging from the 17th century to the present day, which have taken her all over the United States and Zoomed to England. Her contribution to the field of historic costume and textiles has been recognized by the American Antiquarian Society, the Massachusetts […]

Register HERE or call the Library at 860-767-1560. It's Shark Week! In celebration, the Essex library will host an author talk with Christopher Shaw Myers. Christopher is the nephew of actor Robert Shaw, the shark-obsessed fisherman Sam Quint in Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster, Jaws. Christopher will share insights and entertaining tidbits from his book, Robert Shaw: An Actor’s Life on the Set of Jaws and Beyond. For adults and teens. A screening of Jaws will follow the book talk promptly at 3:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public at 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Christopher Shaw Myers Chris Myers attended Trinity College, where he double majored in English Literature and Mathematics, and Columbia University, where he received a Master of Business Administration. After a thirty-year career in the hi-tech field, working with companies across the U.S. and Europe, Chris delved deeper into his family’s history to explore the magic that the Shaws cultivated in their lives. ROBERT SHAW: An Actor’s Life On The Set Of JAWS And Beyond is not your traditional biography. Written in narrative style, it tells the story of actor and writer Robert Shaw—best known as Quint in Jaws—from the perspective of the women who shaped his life. At its heart are […]

Join us at Essex Library for a basket twining class, led by Brenda Vynalek, a local artist and teacher. Register HERE or call the library at 860-767-1560. Twining is one of the oldest basket making techniques, historically used to create tightly woven vessels for food storage and carrying water. In this session, participants will create a modern rope-twined basket in red, white, and blue. These baskets are perfect for holding napkins at a 250th America Celebration, decorating a porch, or serving as a plant holder. During the class, participants will see examples of the twining technique using various materials. This method is an excellent introduction to basket making, and participants will quickly feel inspired to experiment with new colors and textures. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Space is limited. Registration is required. About Brenda Vynalek Brenda Vynalek is a local artist and teacher dedicated to preserving traditional techniques like broom making, basketry, and weaving. Her goal is to guide students from initial doubt to the pride of creating something beautiful and functional for the modern home.

Register HERE or call the library at 860-767-1560. Noted storyteller and journalist Mike Allen, former host of the popular podcast Amazing Tales About History, will provide a lecture at Essex Library on the key people and events in Connecticut during the nation’s tumultuous march to independence, 250 years ago. Prominent historical figures contributed to the formation of the new country, while Connecticut earned the nickname “the provision state” because of its supplies of food and ammunition to the Continental Army. Space is limited. Registration is suggested. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library Association, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. About Mike Allen Mike Allen specializes in bringing history to life, through his background in journalism, radio broadcasting, podcasting and public speaking. Mike hosted the podcast Amazing Tales About History for four years, producing 200 episodes about Connecticut history. For 10 years, Mike was a radio news director in Connecticut before becoming Press Secretary to the Mayor of Danbury. During a subsequent, 25-year corporate career, he worked and lived internationally, specializing in marketing and communications. Mike has lived in Connecticut for more than 50 years.

Take a trip down Main Street in Essex Village to capture the rich maritime history of 18th century “Potapaug,” its working waterfront and ship-building prominence in the early 19th century as well as its development as a beautiful visitor destination of today. Our tours meet at the "Foot of Main Street" in front of the CT River Museum and start at 5:00pm.  Walking tours are open to the public but we encourage pre-registration. We ask for a $10 donation per person and tours are FREE to active EHS 2026 members. Our walks last about an hour and are on mostly flat ground covering a little less than a mile.  We try to adapt our tours a bit based on our audience of the day, but if  you would like a fully customized tour, please contact our staff 860-767-0681 to arrange, giving us at least 3 weeks to arrange our guide scheduling. NEW DAY THIS YEAR! Summer 2026 walks will be on Saturdays: June 27, July 25, August 29 and September 26.

The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Beat the afternoon heat, soak up the air conditioning, and join us for family-friendly movies that connect us with food, farms, & nature. Popcorn provided. See the Essex Library Website for movie titles, descriptions, & age ratings.

REGISTER HERE From the mindset you move with, to the habits you create and the tools you carry. Join us to learn how to stay sharp, stay ready, and stay safe in every aspect of your daily life with Dannah Eve’s book, Street Smarts: Trust Your Instincts, Outsmart Danger, and Stay Safe in a World That Isn’t.  Registration is required for all virtual author talks. Register above, at www.youressexlibrary.org or by calling the library at 860-767-1560.

Join us at Essex Library for a 3-part meditation and mindfulness series with Caryl Horner. Each class provides a combination of instructional content and experiential practice in meditation & mindfulness. Breath work, voice and walking meditations and a simple sound bath will also be provided over the 3 classes. Aug. 13- Meditation 101 This first class presents how meditation reduces stress and quiets the mind, to experience a calm connection between mind & body. The basics of how to meditate, develop a daily practice and the health benefits of such a practice will be covered. A guided group meditation will be presented. Each participant will convey their individual interest/goal for this 3 part program. Register at www.youressexlibrary.org or by calling the library at 860-767-1560. About Caryl Horner Caryl is the founder & director of Dharma Room in Chester. She has been meditating and working in the healthcare field for decades and has a Ph.D in Psychology. She is experienced in the following meditation modalities: Buddhist meditation,  Mindfulness meditation, The Relaxation Response & Transcendental Meditation.

This is the second class of a 3-part meditation and mindfulness series with Caryl Horner. Each class provides a combination of instructional content and experiential practice in meditation & mindfulness. Breath work, voice and walking meditations and a simple sound bath will also be provided over the classes. Register online HERE or call the library at 860-767-1560. Aug. 20- Meditation & Mindfulness The difference between meditation and mindfulness is explained and how the combining of both provides a deeper & more wholistic awareness. Examples will be shared on how to reach this optimal outcome, through greater self awareness. Meditation is a practice and mindfulness is a way of being more “present” and aware in our daily life. About Caryl Horner Caryl is the founder & director of Dharma Room in Chester. She has been meditating and working in the healthcare field for decades and has a Ph.D in Psychology. She is experienced in the following meditation modalities: Buddhist meditation,  Mindfulness meditation, The Relaxation Response & Transcendental Meditation.

Enjoy a movie on the big screen in the Buel Room of Essex Library! For the movie title, visit the Events Calendar at www.youressexlibrary.org or call the library at 860-767-1560. No registration necessary. Drop-in!

Join us for a thrilling conversation with acclaimed author Lucy Foley as we delve into her brand-new Miss Marple mystery, Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel. Register HERE. Registration is required for all virtual author talks. Call the Essex Library for more information.

This is the last class of a 3-part meditation and mindfulness series with Caryl Horner at Essex Library. Each class provides a combination of instructional content and experiential practice in meditation & mindfulness. Breath work, voice and walking meditations and a simple sound bath will also be provided over the classes. Register at www.youressexlibrary.org or call the library at 860-767-1560. Aug. 27- Stopping, Calming, Resting & Healing… Meditation is often described as having two specific interventions. The first is to stop the “monkey mind,” which refers to our habit energy, fleeting mental perceptions, etc. These thoughts often rule our mind. The second intervention is to develop greater awareness and insight. In this class we learn how to use our meditation & mindfulness skills to bring the qualities of calm, resting and healing into balance and improve our wellbeing and quality of life to experience greater understanding, joy and peace. About Caryl Horner Caryl is the founder & director of Dharma Room in Chester. She has been meditating and working in the healthcare field for decades and has a Ph.D in Psychology. She is experienced in the following meditation modalities: Buddhist meditation,  Mindfulness meditation, The Relaxation Response & Transcendental Meditation.

Take a trip down Main Street in Essex Village to capture the rich maritime history of 18th century “Potapaug,” its working waterfront and ship-building prominence in the early 19th century as well as its development as a beautiful visitor destination of today. Our tours meet at the "Foot of Main Street" in front of the CT River Museum and start at 5:00pm.  Walking tours are open to the public but we encourage pre-registration. We ask for a $10 donation per person and tours are FREE to active EHS 2026 members. Our walks last about an hour and are on mostly flat ground covering a little less than a mile.  We try to adapt our tours a bit based on our audience of the day, but if  you would like a fully customized tour, please contact our staff 860-767-0681 to arrange, giving us at least 3 weeks to arrange our guide scheduling. NEW DAY THIS YEAR! Summer 2026 walks will be on Saturdays: June 27, July 25, August 29 and September 26.