Old Lyme, Connecticut

Old Lyme, Connecticut
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Name	Old Lyme, Connecticut
Settlement type	Town

Old Lyme, Connecticut is a town located in New London County, Connecticut, bordered by the towns of Lyme, Connecticut, East Lyme, Connecticut, and Old Saybrook, Connecticut. The town is situated near the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound, and is home to the Florence Griswold Museum, which showcases the works of artists such as John Henry Twachtman, Childe Hassam, and Mary Cassatt. Old Lyme is also close to the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, two of the largest casinos in the United States. The town is accessible via Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, which connect it to nearby cities like New Haven, Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island.

Geography

Old Lyme covers an area of approximately 28.8 square miles, with a mix of coastal and inland terrain. The town is bounded by the Connecticut River to the west and Long Island Sound to the south, and is near the Orient Point, New York and Plum Island, New York. The geography of Old Lyme is similar to that of nearby towns like Stonington, Connecticut and Groton, Connecticut, with a combination of beaches, bluffs, and wooded areas. The town is also close to the Mashantucket Pequot Reservation and the Mohegan Indian Reservation, which are home to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and the Mohegan Tribe, respectively. Old Lyme is accessible via Amtrak trains at the Old Saybrook (Amtrak station), which provide connections to cities like New York City, Boston, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C..

History

The area that is now Old Lyme was originally inhabited by the Pequot people, who were later displaced by English colonists in the 17th century. The town was officially founded in 1855, and was named after the town of Lyme Regis in England. Old Lyme played a significant role in the American Civil War, with many of its residents serving in the Union Army under the command of generals like Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. The town is also home to the Old Lyme Historic District, which features many historic buildings and homes, including the Florence Griswold House, which was once the residence of Florence Griswold and is now a museum showcasing the works of artists like John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, and Winslow Homer. Old Lyme is near the Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium, which are popular tourist destinations.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Old Lyme was approximately 7,600 people, with a mix of year-round and seasonal residents. The town has a diverse population, with residents from a variety of backgrounds, including Irish Americans, Italian Americans, and English Americans. Old Lyme is also home to a number of notable residents, including artists like Sol LeWitt and Chuck Close, and authors like Anita Shreve and Wally Lamb. The town is near the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut College, which are both located in nearby New London, Connecticut. Old Lyme is also close to the Coast Guard Academy and the Naval Submarine Base New London, which are both major employers in the region.

Economy

The economy of Old Lyme is driven by a mix of industries, including tourism, healthcare, and education. The town is home to a number of businesses, including the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, which offers degree programs in the arts, and the Old Lyme Country Club, which is a popular destination for golfers. Old Lyme is also near the Pfizer pharmaceutical company, which has a major research facility in nearby Groton, Connecticut. The town is accessible via Bradley International Airport and the Tweed New Haven Regional Airport, which provide connections to cities like New York City, Boston, Massachusetts, and Chicago, Illinois. Old Lyme is also close to the Acela Express train line, which connects the town to cities like Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Culture

Old Lyme has a rich cultural scene, with a number of galleries, museums, and performance venues. The town is home to the Florence Griswold Museum, which showcases the works of artists like John Henry Twachtman and Childe Hassam, and the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, which offers degree programs in the arts. Old Lyme is also near the Garde Arts Center in New London, Connecticut, which hosts a variety of performances, including concerts, plays, and dance recitals. The town is also home to a number of festivals and events, including the Old Lyme Arts Festival and the Lyme Regis Festival, which celebrate the town's rich cultural heritage. Old Lyme is close to the Mystic Arts Center and the Hyde Collection, which are both popular cultural destinations.

Education

Old Lyme is served by the Old Lyme Public Schools system, which includes the Old Lyme High School and the Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School. The town is also home to the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, which offers degree programs in the arts, and the Old Lyme Country School, which is a private school that serves students from preschool through eighth grade. Old Lyme is near the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut College, which are both located in nearby New London, Connecticut. The town is also close to the Mitchell College and the Three Rivers Community College, which offer a range of academic programs. Old Lyme is accessible via Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1, which connect it to nearby cities like New Haven, Connecticut, Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island. Category:Town in Connecticut