Welcome to the East Haddam Historical Society & Museum, illuminating local history since 1962!
The East Haddam Historical Society illuminates and preserves the stories of the people and places that shape our community.
Mission Statement adopted November 2020

*** Museum open noon-4pm Saturdays & Sundays through the end of October, 2021 ***
​Join us this summer at our Wildlife and Natural History Events
Tuesdays, 2pm mid-July through August - free, fun and family-friendly - details below
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50 years of Local History

​The East Haddam Historical Society aspires to become the prominent heritage, cultural, and social center of East Haddam.
​​Vision Statement adopted June 2021

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Entrance on side of building
 The East Haddam Historical Society, founded over 50 years ago, has been at this Town Street location for 11 years; it's just around the corner from Gillette Castle, right on the Route 82 corridor. The museum has a fine collection of local and Lower Connecticut River Valley historical objects, and prides itself on its kid-friendliness.

Among the highlights of the museum are a photographic display of the rise and fall of the Industrial Age in Moodus Village, Native American artifacts dating to 1300 B.C., a photographic exhibit of the building of the East Haddam swing bridge, and a collection of changing fashions with period costumes on display.

Museum is open noon-4pm on Saturdays & Sundays through the end of October. Please contact us via email or phone 860-873-3944 with any questions.

2021 Membership Drive

As a membership-driven organization, the East Haddam Historical Society relies upon your membership for income. The Society both wants and needs your continued support so we can continue to archive, research, and tell the stories of East Haddam’s past and present.

For your convenience, you can submit your membership online, or you may complete the downloadable membership form and mail it along with your check.
*** Please renew your membership ***
The Board of Trustees deeply appreciates the continued support of all our members!
​October 2020 Letter to Membership

2021-2023 Strategic Plan

April 2021
Three-year Strategic Plan
Members of the board, the museum manager, and volunteers/members of the East Haddam Historical Society worked together to create a three-year strategic plan.

This strategic plan provides year-by-year action steps over the next three years to accomplish the goals set out by the Board of Trustees. Read more to learn about our plans.

East Haddam Historical Society wins award from the Connecticut League of History Organizations

April 5, 2021
The Connecticut League of History Organizations has awarded the East Haddam Historical Society a 2021 Award of Merit for Saving Land, Saving History. The committee was impressed with this collaboration between two non-profit organizations, an excellent example of how resources can be maximized by organizations who can find a common vision and purpose. The committee also noted how the walks in the woods promoted by the films provided a safe activity for the East Haddam community during the pandemic.
Connecticut League of History Organizations Award of Merit

2021 Upcoming Events

All events take place at the Museum unless otherwise stated. Events are open to the public and free to members and children under twelve, except as noted. Donations from non-members is $5 for regular events.
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Upcoming events are listed below, and on our Calendar of Events.

Wildlife and Natural History Events at the East Haddam Historical Society & Museum
Tuesdays, 2pm mid-July through August - these events are free, fun and intended for adults and children. All families and all nature lovers alike are welcome. R.S.V.P.s are helpful to the Museum to help us prepare but not required.

East Haddam Historical Society & Museum has a full summer schedule of Natural History for kids and families. Programs complement the new “East Haddam, Naturally!” exhibit.

Some speakers will bring wildlife or plants that live together with us in East Haddam. Since EHHS’s Mission is to illuminate and preserve the stories of the people and places that shape our community, we’re presenting our wild neighbors and the places they live here in our town.

The Museum is air-conditioned and events will be held both inside and outside. Our staff is vaccinated and will be wearing masks.

8/3 Bobcats: Our Secretive Wild Cat (Ginny Apple, Master Wildlife Conservationist) Natural history of bobcats in East Haddam and Connecticut. Habitat, diet, behavior, reproduction, current research, and popular misconceptions.
Share flyer with friends & neighbors!
 
8/10 Wildlife and Connecticut’s Changing Landscape (Paul Colburn, Master Wildlife Conservationist) The changing state of wildlife in the state, including a discussion of major species, factors affecting their habitats, challenges and suggestions for what people can do to make a difference.
 
8/10 3:30pm Special Event: Nature Journaling (Marianne Halpin, Educator; Maureen Tarbox, Artist) Sketch from nature. Write your thoughts in a haiku or song. Sketchbooks and materials provided. Limited to 6 participants. Please call 860-873-3944
 
8/17 Turtles, Our Treasures (Maureen Heidtmann, Master Wildlife Conservationist, Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator) Can a turtle leave its shell? What do turtles eat? How far can a sea turtle travel? Are snapping turtles dangerous? There are 12 kinds of turtles that call Connecticut home. Can you name them? Maureen will talk about turtles of the world with a focus on our East Haddam species, what they do for us, and what we can do for them. Meet box turtles Juan and Brownstone, tortoises Stella and Donny, and perhaps one or two other non-releasable turtles who needed the help of an experienced wildlife rehabber in order to survive. Co-sponsored by EHFPL.
 
8/24 Eastern Coyotes (Paul Colburn, Master Wildlife Conservationist). The history of coyotes in East Haddam and Connecticut, habitat, diet, behavior, and reproduction.  Practical recommendations for living with our coyote population. Coyote artifacts will be shared with the audience.

Saving Land, Saving History

If you love to hike the open space preserves or just want to know more about the history and nature of your town then you won’t want to miss the beautiful and informative films in our documentary series Saving Land, Saving History. These videos, a collaboration between the East Haddam Historical Society and the East Haddam Land Trust, highlight the fascinating ties between the preservation of land and local history.

The East Haddam Historical Society will be presenting a multi-media exhibit on Saving Land, Saving History at the Museum.
​​For additional information and more events, see ​our News and Events pages.