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Tuesday 10am - 3pm Thursday 10am - 3pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm

East Haddam Historical Society & Museum

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East Haddam, CT
East Haddam Historical Society & Museum

Open Thursdays and Sundays, noon - 4 p.m., June through October. For other times, call for an appointment.

Open Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day Weekend Saturday & Sunday, 1-4PM, or year round by advance appointment anytime. Please direct all historical and genealogical research requests to our Historical Society and Municipal Historian, Dr. Karl Stofko directly at 860-873-9375. Such inquiries cannot be properly addressed on this page.

04/07/2026

Join us on Sunday, April 12, 2026 for "The Lasting Legacy of Dr. Alice Hamilton," presented by author Janet Lemond.

Dr. Alice Hamilton, M.D., a local legend, was a neighbor and friend of William Gillette, but she was much more:
* She helped cure the "Mad Hatters" in Danbury, CT, driven mad by toxins at their job
* She was the first female professor at Harvard University
* She met with the Pope and tried to stop World War I!

Janet will present a case study with guidance on how to discover what your ancestors did for a living. She will note some "dangerous trades" in the Haddams during the mid- to late-1800s, at the start of the Industrial Revolution.

Ms. Lemond worked for both OSHA and the EPA. While at OSHA, she was responsible for sampling at Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks. Following the presentation, books will be available for purchase. If you like, the author will be available to personally autograph your book.

Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Location: East Haddam Historical Society & Museum, 264 Town Street.

Events are free for members and children under 12, with a suggested donation of $5.00 for non-members. For information, call 860-873-3944 or email [email protected].

03/18/2026

William Gillette's Castle Cats, presented by author Susan Waide
Sunday, March 22nd at 2:00 PM

Join us this Sunday, March 22nd, to learn about Gillette's life and his passion for cats. Author Susan Waide will present a snapshot of Gillette’s life and explore his passion for cats. The presentation will celebrate the birthday of Sir Henry Irving, the famous Lyceum Theater cat brought from England to live with Gillette. While this cat lived over a century ago, its legacy as part of the “Caturday” atmosphere at Gillette’s Castle lives on.

Event is free for members and children

03/12/2026

William Gillette loved cats. Many lived at his home in East Haddam and on his 144-foot houseboat, Aunt Polly. Author Susan Waide will present a snapshot of Gillette’s life and explore his passion for cats. The presentation will celebrate the birthday of Sir Henry Irving, the famous Lyceum Theater cat that William Gillette brought from England to live with him in Connecticut. While this cat lived over a century ago, its legacy as part of the “Caturday” atmosphere at Gillette’s Castle lives on forever.

Susan R. Waide has conducted extensive research about William Gillette’s cats for a series of children’s books she is currently writing. She has taught writing at the University of Hartford, area Connecticut colleges, at libraries, and to assisted living residents. Her STEAM children’s picture book, Dr. Ken’s Fab STEAM Lab, will be published in the spring of 2026, followed by Sir Henry Irving the Cat (historic fiction). Beyond His Narrative – Venture Smith, co-authored with Dr. Karl P. Stofko, is on track for completion by the winter of 2026.

Birthday cake and refreshments will follow the presentation.

Date: Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Location: East Haddam Historical Society Museum, 264 Town St.
For information: 860-873-3944 / [email protected]
The event is free for members and children

02/28/2026

William Gillette loved cats. Many lived with him at his home in East Haddam and on his 144-foot houseboat, Aunt Polly. Join us on March 22nd at 2 PM, when Susan Waide will present a snapshot of Gillette’s life and explore his passion for cats. The presentation will celebrate the birthday of Sir Henry Irving, the famous Lyceum Theater cat that William Gillette brought from England to live with him in Connecticut. While this cat lived over a century ago, its legacy as part of the “Caturday” atmosphere at nearby Gillette’s Castle lives on forever.

Location: 264 Town St, East Haddam, CT
Free for members and children

02/09/2026

Join award-winning quilter Diane Hamm for "The Story Inside Whimsical Quilts" on Sunday, February 22nd at 2:00 pm. "Whimsical Quilts" explores the use of quilts as warmth, as bed coverings, and as a way to convey their makers' sense of humor. Diane will describe quilts from the early 1800s to the present day. A mini-quilt show will be on display at the Museum.

The event is free for members and children

01/23/2026

CANCELLATION DUE TO WEATHER: "The Living Legacy of Alice Hamilton," scheduled for Sunday, January 25th, has been cancelled and rescheduled to Sunday, April 12th at 2 PM.

01/20/2026

Join us on Sunday, January 25 at 2 pm for "The Living Legacy of Dr. Alice Hamilton." Before we had OSHA, the men and women who worked in toxic and hazardous factories faced a myriad of serious health conditions as a result of their work environment. Dr. Hamilton’s scientific breakthroughs improved safety for factory workers in the early 20th century, eventually leading to the development of OSHA.

The event is free for members; $5 suggested donation for nonmembers. For information call 860-873-3944.
East Haddam Historical Society Museum, 264 Town St, East Haddam, CT.

01/09/2026

Join author Janet Lemond on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM for a fascinating presentation about Hadlyme resident Dr. Alice Hamilton. Dr. Hamilton’s scientific breakthroughs improved safety for factory workers in the early 20th century, leading to the development of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Her fascinating life and legacy live on in the stories of the men and women who worked in toxic and hazardous factories and faced a myriad of serious health conditions as a result of their environment. Janet Lemond, formerly of OSHA and the EPA, will share the positive impact of Dr. Hamilton’s work that continues to this day. The women in the photo worked in a Danbury hat factory

and were exposed to high levels of mercury during the hat-making process.

The event will be held at the East Haddam Historical Society & Museum, 264 Town Street, East Haddam. Events are free for members and children under 12, with a suggested donation of $5.00 for non-members. For information, call 860-873-3944 or email [email protected].

01/08/2026

Did you hear or feel rumbling tonight around 5:36 pm? It was a Moodus Noise event, an earthquake! The attached picture shows the primary and secondary waves of the earthquake as measured on the seismometer at the East Haddam Historical Society Museum.

12/11/2025

Celebrate with us this Saturday, December 13th at 2 pm as we enjoy the beautiful sounds of the Colchester Choir and String Quartet. After the concert, we'll serve holiday foods and refreshments!

12/01/2025

Join us for “Visions of Christmas and
Life in America” with Shea and Scott Jezek, Wednesday, December 3rd at 7:00 PM.

This fascinating presentation will light up your holidays! Come see their large vintage Christmas postcard collection. On our large screen, the details of the vintage artwork are spectacular. The cards reflect changes in American history throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The postcard pictured here is part of their collection.

The event is free for members and children

Address

264 Town Street
East Haddam, CT
06423

Opening Hours

Tuesday	10am - 3pm
Thursday	10am - 3pm
Sunday	12pm - 4pm

Telephone

(860) 873-3944

Website

https://www.easthaddamhistory.org/

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