Activity

Join us for a special Cemetery walk as part of our America 250 celebrations! Join EHS Director, Melissa Josefiak on Saturday, October 3 at 5:00pm, for a tour of the cemetery that will visit the gravesites of Essex veterans and residents connected to the Revolutionary War and talk about their histories before, during, and after the Revolution. Located on the shores of the Connecticut River, River View Cemetery testifies to the early history of “Potapaug,” as Essex was once known, with the oldest gravestones dating from the early 1700s.  Enjoy the cemetery’s beautiful grounds as we trace its history from a simple burial yard to the park-like setting of today, especially during this twilight tour starting at 5pm.   The tour lasts about an hour over uneven, sloped, grassy terrain for about half a mile.  Walkers should wear proper footwear and outerwear, and possibly bring a flashlight if they would like.  While this tour is based on historical facts and is not intended to be ‘haunted’, historical details about death, war and disease may disturb young walkers. Register! Each tour is $10 per person; free to EHS members.   Please meet at the base of the cemetery’s driveway. Limited parking […]

Program for families with kids of all ages. Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Kids are invited to sign up for a private 15-minute slot to read to and interact with local licensed therapy dog Louie the Labrador! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to sign up for the 5:15 time slot. Click here to sign up for the 5:30 time slot. Click here to sign up for the 5:45 time slot.

Program for kids ages birth-4 and their caregivers. Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop, squish, pour, and play with a variety of textures and materials in a safe, supportive space alongside their caregivers. This program supports sensory development, fine motor skills, and social interaction—come play, learn, and make a (little) mess with us! Program funded in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and made possible by the GSB Grant Making Fund, and the Whelen Family Fund. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration required. Drop in!

Join us for our popular event of Brickside Bingo! Our local business partner is Sweet P's Ice Cream, we will have extra sweet treats in our Pizza Prize Boxes! Arrive early to guarantee your seat!

Join us for a captivating online conversation with acclaimed author and Smithsonian curator Carolyn Russo as we dive into her fascinating book, The Ascent of Rauschenberg. Explore the towering legacy, unexpected inspirations, and creative heights of one of America's most influential artistic icons. This program is free and open to all. Registration is required for all virtual author talks with Essex Library. Register online HERE or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.

This talk at Essex Library will focus on the life cycles of several medically important tick species in Connecticut, as well as when each life stage is most likely to be encountered based on active tick surveillance data. Knowledge of common tick species and their seasonal activity periods can help people be more vigilant during certain months to better protect themselves, family members, and pets. Speakers: Natalie Bailey, agricultural research technician for the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station will present this talk with Jessica Brown, a CAES agricultural post-doctoral research scientist. Register on the Library's Events Calendar at www.youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Join Miss Nicole for a fire safety-themed story time filled with fun stories, songs, and tips to help little ones learn how to stay safe in case of a fire! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. What to expect: Each Little Learners session begins with a welcome song where each child is invited to dance and celebrate themselves. We sing interactive songs that encourage vocabulary development and gross motor movement, then read a story together. After the first book, we sing a few more songs and read another story. We conclude our time together with 3-4 craft and play centers that help children develop their early math, literacy, and motor skills. After story time, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Click here to register.

Kids are off from School, come join Harp & Happenings at Brickside Pizza for a painting event! $20 - All supplies and instructions included, food and drink for an additional purchase.

Program for kids ages 5-12. Kids will explore the chemistry behind non-Newtonian fluids as they make stretchy slime perfect for creepy crawly spiders! Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy, as slime may get on clothing! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Program designed for caregivers and their child, age birth – 2. In Baby Keepsake, our sensory art explorations expose baby to a variety of textures, while creating something to remember your little one in their youngest years. This month: Let’s celebrate Fall! Transform salt dough into an adorable clay pumpkin keepsake with your child’s hand or footprint! What to Expect: We’ll gather together for a brief lap sit story session, and then caregivers and babies will work together to make our keepsake! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Kids and families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in celebrating National Dessert Day by creating all kinds of no-bake desserts! From pudding “dirt” to edible cookie dough, we will make lots of treats to enjoy!

Free to Play! Food & Drink Specials! Prize for the Winning Team!

The Essex and Brainerd Libraries will jointly sponsor a forum for state senate and house candidates in our shared districts on Wednesday, October 14th at 6:30 PM in the auditorium at John Winthrop Middle School. Participating candidates for the District 36 House seat are Renee LaMark Muir (D) and Guy Tuccero (R) and for the District 33 Senate seat Incumbent Senator Norm Needleman (D) and Charles Ferraro (R). Moderators will be Essex Library Director Ann Thompson and Brainerd Library Director Marissa Lehmacher. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the Essex Library at 860-767-1560 or the Brainerd Library at 860-345-2204. John Winthrop Middle School is located at 1 Winthrop Road in Deep River.

Essex Library Association will host pediatrician, allergist and social media star Zachary Rubin virtually for a discussion of “All About Allergies: Everything You Need to Know About Asthma, Food Allergies, Hay Fever, and More.” The book, “All About Allergies,” offers an in-depth look at both common and surprising allergies, spotlighting patient stories, the history and science behind allergies, common myths, treatment options, and more. This virtual program is free and open to the public. Registration is required for all virtual programs. Register HERE or call the Library at 860-767-1560. About Dr. Zachary Rubin Dr. Zachary Rubin is a double board-certified pediatrician and allergist/immunologist who practices at Oak Brook Allergists in the Chicago area. A nationally recognized medical educator and public health advocate, he shares evidence-based, accessible information on allergies, asthma, and public health with over four million followers under the handle @rubin_allergy.

Join EHS Director, Melissa Josefiak as she guides a tour of historic River View Cemetery, which dates back over 300 years! Located on the shores of the Connecticut River, River View Cemetery testifies to the early history of “Potapaug,” as Essex was once known, with the oldest gravestones dating from the early 1700s.  Come hear the stories of the cemetery’s ‘residents’ including: the influence of the town’s first pastor: a traitorous sea captain; an enterprising mother/daughter team; and many other engaging and touching tales.  Learn about changes in gravestone art – from grimacing “death’s heads” to ornate obelisks.  Enjoy the cemetery’s beautiful grounds as we trace its history from a simple burial yard to the park-like setting of today, especially during this twilight tour starting at 5pm.   The tour lasts about an hour over uneven, sloped, grassy terrain for about half a mile.  Walkers should wear proper footwear and possibly bring a flashlight for the twilight tours.  While this tour is based on historical facts and is not intended to be ‘haunted’, historical details about death and disease may disturb young walkers. Register Each tour is $10 per person; free to EHS members.   Limited parking is available in the […]

Program for children ages birth – 2 and their caregivers. Music is one of the earliest ways babies learn about the world! In Baby Band, caregivers and little ones will sing, dance, bounce, clap, and explore child-safe instruments in a playful, engaging environment. Along the way, babies strengthen early literacy, communication, motor, and social-emotional skills while caregivers discover fun ways to continue the music at home. No pressure to sit still, wiggles, giggles, and movement are all part of the fun! What to Expect: We’ll start by singing some familiar songs to get the party started. Then, we’ll explore rhythm with scarves, shakers, drums, or other child-safe instruments. Before we end, we’ll sing a goodbye song! After baby band, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Want to reduce the waste you create? Join Karen Evans, environmental educator and member of Sustainable Essex, for a hands on workshop focusing on reducing, reusing, recycling, and rethinking!

Help fill The Ivoryton Village with glowing Jack-O-Lanterns for this year's Ivoryton Village Pumpkin Festival! Pumpkin carving tools will be provided but you can also bring your own. Your pumpkin will be displayed at the festival on Saturday and then you can take it home with you! RSVP is greatly appreciated so we can have the right amount of pumpkins; bricksidepizza104@gmail.com or 860-767-2555

A talk at Essex Library about the so-called Gilded Age from the 1870s to the 1910s, when New London and Groton became playgrounds of the wealthy. New London's Pequot Colony and Groton's Eastern Point attracted the wealthy and influential including U.S. presidents, celebrities, artists, Supreme Court justices and families such as the Plants and Harknesses. In turn, the region also benefited from the philanthropy of these people of power and privilege.  Learn about the people and places of the Connecticut shoreline during this era of excess with Gail B. MacDonald.

Program for kids ages 2-5. We’re heading to the pumpkin patch for a story time full of fall fun! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. What to expect: Each Little Learners session begins with a welcome song where each child is invited to dance and celebrate themselves. We sing interactive songs that encourage vocabulary development and gross motor movement, then read a story together. After the first book, we sing a few more songs and read another story. We conclude our time together with 3-4 craft and play centers that help children develop their early math, literacy, and motor skills. After story time, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Click here to register.

Kids, teens, and families are invited to join the Ivoryton Library in celebrating National Book Month with bedazzling books! We will decorate book covers to be uniquely ours, and enjoy all things books!

Program for tweens ages 8-12. Celebrate National Noodle Day at the library by trying different ramen noodle cup flavors from around the world, and right here at home! We’ll start by learning about Momofuku Ando, the founder of Nissin Food Products (one of the most popular ramen brands), test different cups of noodles, vote on our favorites, and crown the ultimate noodle champion! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register.

Enjoy some feel good music from the 70s to the 20s.

Program for families with children of all ages. The libraries and Land Trust are joining the Pumpkin Festival this year! Join Essex Library, Ivoryton Library, and Essex Land Trust for a family hike through The Millrace Preserve! Kids and families are invited to solve silly Halloween riddles as they walk along a festive path, enjoy a treat afterward courtesy of ELT, and take home a fun craft kit, courtesy of the libraries! This is a 15-20 min self-guided hike, come any time during the scheduled time frame! This program is free and open to the public. This program will be held at The Millrace, Ivory St, Ivoryton. In the event of rain, this program will not be held. No registration is required, drop in!