MRHS Program: Celebrating 40 Years!

The Mystic River Historical Society presents a look back at its 40 years of service.  Society member and historian, Patricia Schaefer, will present an illustrated program on the Society’s history and the people who started it.

The Mystic River Historical Society was founded in 1973.  The impetus was the proposed demolition of the 1839 schoolhouse, Portersville Academy.  A group of community leaders formed the Society, purchased the school from the Town of Groton for $1.00 and restored it after an impressive fundraising campaign.  Since then, the Downes Archives Building was built to house the Society’s collection of photographs, letters, and other materials.  The Society provides public programs through lectures, school field trips and special events.  It also provides researchers and visitors access to Mystic’s history through its website, digital exhibits and cell phone apps.

Schaefer has created a monograph on the Society’s history for the anniversary.  She also is the author of “A Useful Friend: A Companion to the Joshua Hempstead Diary” published by the New London County Historical Society.  In 2009, it won the Homer Babbidge Award for the best work on Connecticut history. She lives in Mystic, CT.

The program is at the Mystic Congregational Church Parish Hall and is free and open to the public.  Charter members of the Society are encouraged to attend.  For more information, call the Mystic River Historical Society 536-4779, or email info@mystichistory.org.