Historic Walking Tour
Railroad Station to the Millstone via Main Street
The Old Saybrook Historical Society is pleased to collaborate with the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce on this walking tour guide.
Old Saybrook is the oldest town on the shoreline and one of the first towns in Connecticut. It was founded in 1635 by a handful of hearty men and women who survived several years of hardship to establish Saybrook Colony. The original Saybrook land grant included Old Lyme, Chester, Essex, Deep River, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook. Eventually these areas broke into separate townships.
By 1750, Old Saybrook had become a thriving community largely because of its river location. A small ship building industry was developed here and a booming coastal and West Indian shipping trade enhanced the town’s prosperity. Wealthy sea captains, ship owners and merchants built lovely homes along the main thoroughfares of town. Unfortunately many have been “lost to progress.” One of the remaining homes, the General William Hart House (1767) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it is the headquarters for the Old Saybrook Historical Society, a not for profit, all volunteer organization. We are dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the history of Old Saybrook.
Please visit the Hart House, heritage gardens and Archive building on your walking tour, or contact www.saybrookhistory.org for exhibits, events & hours.
