Events

Interested in leaving your mark on Essex History? Then, please join us our Monthly Volunteer Open House! If you want to learn how to support EHS as a volunteer, please join us for this meet and greet. This is a no-commitment, hour long introduction to volunteerism with Essex Historical Society. One of our staff will give you a tour of Hills Academy and outline our volunteer positions including: Collections and research Education and Programming Event planning and fundraising Tour Guide for Pratt House and Walking Tours Maintenance of Gardens at Pratt House Preservation and up-keep of EHS’s two historic sites No need to RSVP, simply arrive to Hills Academy (22 Prospect Street) for 11:30 (parking and entrance in rear), and we will give you the information. If you can’t join us this month, we hope to see you at the next Open House. Open Houses will be held in the same place, at the same time on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted.

We're delighted to host, Marie Botswick, and feature her latest uplifting and thought provoking work of historical fiction, The Book Club for Troublesome Women, at our Spring Literary Luncheon. The book is a work of historical fiction, exploring the lives of four housewives in the 1960s residing in suburban Virginia.  By many accounts these women are living the American Dream, yet they have a yearning for "more".  They start a book club - their first title is Betty Frieden's The Feminine Mystique.  The book has each of them examining and questioning their own lives - their fears and dreams - and also seeking change to make their longings a reality.  The cost is $65.00 which includes lunch, book and an opportunity to engage with Marie Botswick.

All are invited to join us for the first meeting of EHS’s Connecticut History Book Club. EHS will host this quarterly book club to explore the state's past through both fiction and non-fiction works, highlighting key events, figures, and themes that shaped the state or played a larger role in America’s history. We will focus on works that illuminate the bring marginalized stories to the forefront, offering a deeper understanding of Connecticut's diverse history. Join us for insightful discussions that connect the past to the present, revealing the histories that shaped our state. For our first book we have chosen the novel: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. While Connecticut natives may have had this as required reading in grade school, newer residents may not yet be familiar with this 1959 Newbery Medal Winner about a young woman in colonial Connecticut. This title is appropriate for ages young adult and up. Books can be checked out from Ivoryton Library or Essex Library Association, or purchased wherever you get your books. On Wednesday, June 18, we will meet at Pratt House for a book discussion lead by EHS Director, Melissa Josefiak. This event is FREE and lite refreshments will be […]

Join the RiverLane for a heartwarming weekend of new beginnings! The RiverLane is partnering with Dog Days to host an adoption event on Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th from 11 AM to 4 PM. The event will take place outside, next to their Essex store. Dog Days has been rescuing dogs for 15 years, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this milestone! If you're interested in adopting, applications are available ahead of time. More info coming soon! Let's make this a weekend of second chances and forever homes for these deserving dogs. For more information about adoption or to donate, visit: https://www.godogdays.org/adopt/ https://www.godogdays.org/donations/

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 do appreciate an RSVP that you plan to attend by emailing our Director at mjosefiak@essexhistory.org.  We ask for a $5 donation per person but tours are free to active 2025 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. Summer 2025 walks will be on Sundays: June 29, July 27, August 31 and September 28.

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 do appreciate an RSVP that you plan to attend by emailing our Director at mjosefiak@essexhistory.org.  We ask for a $5 donation per person but tours are free to active 2025 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. Summer 2025 walks will be on Sundays: June 29, July 27, August 31 and September 28.