AMASA DAY HOUSE - Town Street, Moodus section of East Haddam - (860) 873-8144

This Federal style home was built in 1816. It was acquired at auction by Amasa Day, a successful businessman, in 1841. Three successive generations of Days later lived in the house. It is a two and one half story modified rectangle with gabled roof, three interior chimneys, and modillion cornice. It has a center entrance with fanlight and a small pedimented entrance porch. There are corner pilasters and lunettes in the end pediments. Of special note is a rare stairwell stenciling. Also on display are a selection of photographs taken by pioneering American pictorialist art photographer Dr. Amasa Day Chaffee between 1890 and 1925. Connecticut Landmarks presently owns the house and it is open to the public year round by appointment. For appointments contact (860) 247-8996 ext. 12 or amasa.day@ctlandmarks.org. Admission: adults $7; Students, Teachers & Seniors $6; Children age 6-18 $4; Children under 6 and members are FREE; Families (2 adults with children) $15; For Groups of 10 or more: $5 each.

For more information about the Amasa Day House and Connecticut Landmarks visit www.ctlandmarks.org

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH - Town Street, Little Haddam section of East Haddam - (860) 873-9084

The prevailing religion in the early settlements of the river valley was Congregationalism. Originally a central meeting house served as the town hall, church and community center. With town growth the church became a separate structure. The First Church of Christ, Congregational is an architectural masterpiece. Designed by the famed architect Lavius Fillmore, it was built in 1794. The graceful Doric columns surmounted by Roman arches, a Palladian window and star-spangled, domed ceiling add grandeur to the structure. Features such as the high pulpit, handblown glass panes and enormous wrought iron hinges and locks have made this building famous in the area.

EAST HADDAM HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM - 264 Town Street, East Haddam - 860.873.3944 - EHhistsociety@snet.net

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. The museum is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day, Friday through Sunday 10am-4pm. Tickets are $5 per adult; children under 12 free. Open all year by special appointment.

EAST HADDAM STAGE COMPANY (EHSCO) - PO Box 176 East Haddam, CT 06423 - 860.873.3521 (productions at various locations) www.EHSCO.org

The East Haddam Stage Company was established in 2001 to produce non-musical theatre events emphasizing character, story and language. EHSCO is a professional company utilizing diverse and creative CT staff and talent in a forum for producing new works by CT playwrights, established plays and other spoken word art forms such as poetry and staged readings.

Past productions include: A.R. Gurney's 'Love Letters', Rick Balian's 'Pictures At An American Exhibition', "'Plays with Poetry'", which combined award winning one-act plays with works by living CT poets, and the on-going touring show "'They Called Me Lizzy"... from Slavery to the White House' an original one-woman play about the life of Elizabeth Keckly, a slave who became dressmaker and confidant to Mary Todd Lincoln.

Visit this website's CALENDAR to see dates and ticket information about the next production.

EAST HADDAM SWING BRIDGE - Route 82, East Haddam

The river was originally crossed by canoe, later by raft. Eventually a chain and sail scow was employed. Finally, in 1894, the "most modern" river conveyance, a steam ferry, was installed. Today the bridge, which swings to accommodate river traffic, is a local landmark. Built in 1913, the 899-foot long bridge is reputed to be the longest of its type in the world. The bridge opens to recreational traffic on the hour and half hour and on-demand for commercial barge traffic.

A poem about the bridge courtesy of Simon Pure

GELSTON HOUSE - 8 Main Street, East Haddam - (860) 873-1411 www.GelstonHouse.com

Built in 1736 by Jabez Chapman, the Gelston House was originally named "The River Slide Inn". According to town records, Mr. Chapman was granted a tavern license and operated a "dwelling house". In 1776 a Mr. Gelston purchased the inn and the Gelston family maintained the property until 1825 when they sold it to Joseph Goodspeed. In 1853, a number of East Haddam residents formed the Gelston Hotel Company and purchased the inn. George Gelston, son of a former proprietor, headed the corporation. Now owned by the Goodspeed Opera House Foundation, the Gelston House still serves travelers and theatergoers with its restaurant, tavern and guestrooms.

GILLETTE CASTLE - 67 River Road, Hadlyme section of East Haddam - (860) 526-2336

Inspired by his love of the Connecticut River, Hartford native William Gillette began construction of his "castle" in 1914. The building, said to be modeled after the Normandy fortress of Robert LeDiable, father of William the Conqueror, was not completed until 1919. Standing 200 feet above sea level, it affords visitors a spectacular view of the river valley.

Best known for his role as Sherlock Holmes, Gillette was hugely successful and having amassed a sizeable personal fortune, he spared nothing in the design of his castle. The imposing granite walls, four to five feet thick, and twenty-four oddly shaped windows are evidence of his individuality. A railroad buff, Gillette even designed and built a three-mile train system to transport guests down to the river. The castle grounds include hiking trails and picnic facilities. The castle and grounds are now a state park and both have recently undergone an extensive renovation. The restoration of the castle interior includes the furniture and paintings, as well as the woodwork and wallcoverings.

The Castle is open everyday for tours from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day from 10am to 5pm. (The last tour begins at 4:30pm) Tours are $4 for adults and $2 for children. Staff are available to assist with questions about the castle and its history. Admission to the grounds is free. A Visitor's Center offers river views, gift shop, food concessions, and restrooms.

GOODSPEED LIBRARY OF THE MUSICAL THEATRE - 20 Norwich Road, East Haddam - (860) 873-8664

The Goodspeed library is one of the most extensive musical theatre research facilities in the United States. Dedicated to preserving the rich legacy of the art form, the library maintains a comprehensive collection of scores, sheet music, scripts, original cast recordings, programs, photographs and theatre memorabilia. Established in the 1970s to provide historical research for Goodspeed productions, the library has evolved into a valuable resource for theatres across the country, as well as students, scholars and the public. The materials in the library are available to the public for research and reference by appointment which may be made Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by special arrangement.

For more about Goodspeed Musicals and Opera House Tours visit www.goodspeed.org.

GOODSPEED OPERA HOUSE - Goodspeed Landing, East Haddam - (860) 873- 8668

Built in 1876 for William H. Goodspeed, ship builder, merchant, banker and lover of theatre, this Victorian gem was originally designed for passenger and freight service from the river level basement floor with a store, offices and a theatre on the upper level. The theater flourished for many years as actors and guests came and went by steamboat. Goodspeed's death marked the decline of the theater and when river commerce waned, the building was put to a variety of commercial uses. During World War I, the building was a militia base and in the 1950-60s was used as a storage depot for the Connecticut Highway Department. The building was acquired by the Goodspeed Opera House Foundation in 1959. After extensive restoration, it was rededicated as a theatre in 1963.

Today the opera house serves as Goodspeed Musicals' headquarters and primary performance venue, producing 3 musicals each season between April and December. Goodspeed Musicals pioneered the practice of rethinking, restoring and revitalizing America's Musical theatre heritage. A non-profit organization, Goodspeed is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of musical theatre and to the development of new works to add to the repertoire. Seventeen Goodspeed productions have gone on to Broadway, including the premiers of Annie, Shenandoah and Man of La Mancha. Goodspeed itself has received two Special Tony Awards, one in 1980 for outstanding contribution to the American musical and the second in 1995 for outstanding achievement for a regional theatre.

The Goodspeed box office, located in the lobby of the opera house, is open 7 days a week or by phone at 860-873-8668. Tours of the Opera House are conducted June through October from 11a.m. to 1:30p.m. on Saturday. The tour lasts 30 minutes and costs $5 for adults and $1 for children.

For more about Goodspeed Musicals and Opera House Tours visit www.goodspeed.org.

NATHAN HALE SCHOOL HOUSE - behind St. Stephen's Church on Route 149, East Haddam - (860) 873-3399

This one-room schoolhouse was built in 1750. Nathan Hale, Connecticut Revolutionary War hero, served here as schoolmaster from 1773 to 1774. The building was moved from Goodspeed Plaza to its present location on a hill overlooking East Haddam Village and Connecticut River. A bust of Hale at Goodspeed Plaza marks the building's original site. Owned by the Sons of the American Revolution, the schoolhouse has displays of Nathan Hale's possessions and items of local history. During the winter months, eagles can be seen perched in the tall pine trees on the schoolhouse grounds.

The schoolhouse is open Memorial Day through Labor Day on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 2-4pm or by appointment.

For information about Nathan Hale, see the following websites:
Nathan Hale Schoolhouse - www.ctssar.org/sites/e_haddam_hale_schoolhouse.htm
Nathan Hale Memorial Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution - www.rootsweb.com/~ctnhmdar

ST. STEPHEN'S BELL - Route 149, East Haddam

The bell now hanging in St. Stephens Episcopal Church, on Main Street, East Haddam is thought to be the oldest bell in the New World. It was originally cast for a Spanish monastery in 815A.D. When Napoleon invaded Spain, the church housing the bell was destroyed and the bell left among the rubble. In 1834, a Yankee sea captain loaded the bell as part of the scrap metal used as ballast for the voyage home. Thus the bell began its trip to Connecticut. Discovered in New York, it was sent by a ship chandler to his wife's hometown of East Haddam.

For more about how this bell came to East Haddam visit: www.ststeves.org.

VENTURE SMITH GRAVE - Across from the Old Town Hall, Town Street, Little Haddam section of East Haddam

A site on the Freedom Trail, the grave of Venture Smith (1729 - 1805) is located in the First Church Cemetery near the stonewall next to the church about half way back from Town Street. Smith was captured as a child in Africa and brought to Connecticut where he was sold as a slave. Despite being a slave, he was other to work at other jobs so that he earned money to purchase his freedom and that of his wife and children. One of his sons served in the American Revolution. His wife is buried next to him, and near by is the grave of another son, Solomon, who served in the War of 1812. Venture's granddaughter, who died in 1902, is buried here as well. Venture Smith dictated a pamphlet about his experiences that can be read in the book Five Black Lives.

further information about Venture Smith Gravesite