East Lyme Historical Society Winter Lecture Series 2025 Sunday April 6th 2:00 pm East Lyme Room / East Lyme Public Library 37 Society Rd, Niantic Chris Menapace, Director of Education at Discovering Amistad, will present: Amistad Rebellion of 1839. This final lecture will focus on 53 kidnapped Africans and how they executed a successful rebellion against their illegal enslavement and how they ended up in Connecticut. From their story we will learn about their resistance to oppression and the legacy they have left behind. Chris Menapace is the Director of Education at Discovering Amistad with a focus on the history of slavery in Connecticut and the Amistad rebellion of 1839. Visit Discovering Amistad website: discoveringamistad.org to learn more. This program is free and open to the public. Donations are kindly accepted. The East Lyme Historical Society and the East Lyme Public Library would like to thank everyone who attended this year's Winter Lecture Series. Thank You! (fb)

East Lyme Historical Society Winter Lecture Series 2025 Sunday March 2nd 2:00 pm East Lyme Senior Center 37 Society Rd, Niantic We are pleased to have Tom Schuch back. This time exploring David Ruggles, an African-American Abolitionist, and his ties to the Norwich and Lyme area. Though David died at the age of 39 (1810-1849) his life was not idle. Besides being an abolitionist and ties with the Underground Railroad he was a publisher, writer, and was the first African-American bookshop owner. But his life started here in the Lyme and Norwich area. Tom Schuch's interest is in social justice issues and history especially in unknown, forgotten, and hidden local histories. His research led to discoveries of sites that are now part of the New London Black Heritage Trail. His articles have been published in the Connecticut Explored Magazine and in our local newspapers and he has also given numerous talks and podcasts about his local history discoveries. This program is free and is open to the public. Donations are kindly accepted. Hope you can join us! (fb)