Great library - really like how they provide print outs of crosswords from newspapers. Staff was…read morereally friendly and was giving away free books and flowers that had been donated. Had many computers available for public use and tables to sit at. Only complaint was there were not lots of outlets near the tables making it difficult for people going to study with laptops/personal computers. Nothing an extension cord can't fix. Overall a wonderful place.

In honor of…read morePhoebe The great era of library building in New England was in the late part of the 19th century. Very wealthy individuals would donate vast sums of money to build libraries in honor of deceased loved ones. The Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library is a classic example. Charles Ludington gave money to the town of Old Lyme to build a library to memorialize his mother in law, Phoebe Griffin Noyes. The library was opened in 1898 and was very pleasant and lovely but rather modest by the standards of some of the more grand and opulent libraries being built. It served well for decades and was renovated and expanded over the years. The largest building project was in 1955 and the size of the library was great expanded. The library today is a very pleasant place, especially the old, original section. Unfortunately the new addition is rather incongruent with the original part and it is obvious when you go from one part to the other. Even parts of the original wall is exposed as you go from one part to another. The inside of the library is very colorful with all kinds of cool displays and art and plenty of computers and modern conveniences. An interesting and comfy library that is a nice memorial to a person long gone but not forgotten.

I followed my GPS and parked in an empty parking lot. The hours said they were open, so I went in…read more Apparently there's parking on the ground floor where the conference rooms are. There's an elevator to the main floor that the actual library. They have a good selection of books, friendly librarians, and a free self-care station with personal hygiene products, which is a great idea that I had never seen before.

This library is tucked a bit off the road - first my GPS brought me to some school, which means…read moreyou've gone too far. There is a less obvious road to the left (if you're coming from the main road), and a moderate sized parking lot in front. The interior is very bright with a well defined space for adults and children. There are also bits of art all over, even outside. My guess on the plant outside - elephant!

I love visiting the library of a small town. I went to the Public Library in Essex, and it is just…read moreadorable. The library has been providing books for the community since 1889. You can tell by the structure, that it's been around for a while! The inside is beautiful, modern, colorful and so inviting. There are beautiful murals across the walls. There were kids playing in the children's area. They have these round domes, you can curl up and read inside of. I wish I got a picture. The library is very clean, organized and with the friendliest librarian. Their quiet area is away from the noisy children's area. They had some books available for free outside. This is such a beautiful library in the lovely small town of Essex, CT.

This is the BEST library around. Very efficient and friendly people work here. If I ever move…read morefrom here, this is one of the places I'll miss most.

The Florence Griswold Museum is more than just a beautiful museum. To show even more support this…read moreyear, I decided to buy a family membership. For years my family has been visiting the museum in the fall for the Wee Faerie Village, an extraordinary outdoor display of faerie villages that are created by local businesses and individuals. There isn't enough room for me to gush about this event. The beauty, creativity, and the scavenger hunt keep us coming back. The museum offers a glimpse into history, beautiful art, extraordinary gardens, breathtaking views of the river. and more.

We ventured to Old Lyme, Connecticut on Sunday for the final day of Mystical Murmurs: An Enchanted…read moreEnvironment by Adrien Broom. The exhibit features a fairy ring of gigantic mushrooms. The artist was born and raised in Old Lyme. The installation is meant to encourages us ponder the magical mysteries of the forest. We also really enjoyed the Amanita sculptures outside the main building housing the museum's permanent collection. We were able to photograph these just before one of the museum staff sold them off to a local mushroom enthusiast (since Sunday was the last day of the mushroom exhibit). While we came specifically for the mushroom installation, we also really enjoyed our visit to the other galleries. The museum showcases the work of the artists of the Old Lyme Artist Colony, a nexus of American Impressionism and has some beautiful impressionist landscape painting, including many by female artists of the 19th and early 20th century. The grounds here are also beautiful with gorgeous views of the Lieutenant River. There was also an exhibit of small fairy houses when we visited. Beautiful spot with nice staff and docents. Would definitely return here!

The end of a…read morelibrary For something new to happen, something old must end. A wise woman told me these words many, many years ago. The ending of something tends to be sad but sometimes must happen for something new and fresh to happen. The venerable Lyme Public Library is closing. It's been here for more than a century and has served the community and people well. Finally closing it's doors for the last time in the near future. The library is a quaint and very cool place. It's famous for Emma the library cat that unfortunately just recently passed away after 15 wonderful years in the library. The library also has two of the sweetest, nicest and friendliest librarians you will find anywhere. Not just helpful but so wonderful that they will personally welcome you into the building and talk about anything you could possible want to know. They treat you like an old friend. The library is indeed a bit cramped, somewhat disorganized but has a very pleasant children's section and just about everything you could need in a library. But the time of this cool library will soon end and nothing will remain but memories. But then a new, larger and more modern library will be completed right next door. A new beginning that over the years will develop it's own memories. Always sad to see something ending but it is frequently necessary for something new to begin. And I suspect this lovely new library will be just as wonderful as the old that is ending. And they even plan to get a new kitty once the library is completed.

I regret that I don't have any photos to add to this review. The day I went to Harbor Books, it was…read morepouring down rain. My date and I walked to the bookstore in the pouring rain, and not only did I not want to get my phone wet, I also didn't want to have to keep her waiting for me under the downpour any longer than was necessary. I guess I'm a nice guy...Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone! When I realized I would be meeting someone for a date in the area, I went online to see what Old Saybrook has to offer on a Sunday. I hadn't been to Old Saybrook in at least a couple years, and I'm not too up-to-date on the goings on in the area. My search turned up a small cafe nearby...and Harbor Books. After a small but pleasant lunch, we walked to Harbor Books in the rain. Upon first walking in, I noticed a $1.00 bin where all the books were on sale for, yep, a dollar. I noticed one title in there I decided I would pick up and purchase on the way out (I did), one of Mary Higgins Clark's older novels, hardcover, in excellent condition. Looking through Harbor Books, I quickly realized I would need much more time in there than I suspected my date was willing to spend. I guessed 5 hours. No joke. Not only do they have a great selection of titles, they also have a great selection of vintage and antique books. Many of which are in excellent shape and are marked with a great price. There are probably more antique books in this little bookstore than at the antique shop a couple towns away, that has a ton of books. Five hours is likely an understatement. While looking through the bookshelves, I happened upon a book by a local author whom I had met at least a couple times, now about 10 years ago. I picked up the book, and asked the store owner how long he had had that book in stock. He estimated 7-8 years. I put the book back on the shelf, stepped away, then immediately turned back and grabbed it. After bringing the book home, along with a couple others I purchased along with it, I looked up the author online, wondering what he might be up to these days. Turns out he's up to nothing. He's dead. He died about 4 years ago, while his book was sitting on the shelf of this little bookstore, waiting years for me to come and pick it up. I got to thinking: what are the odds? This book, which I am certain had a very small print run, sat on a shelf waiting 7 or 8 years for me to find it, authored by a man I had met 10 years ago, who is now dead. I took it as a sign that the copy of the book had always been mine, waiting there on that shelf until just the right circumstances led me into Harbor Books and to it. The thing is, I'm willing to bet Harbor Books is JUST the right kind of store for that sort of thing. And I think the next time I go in there, I'll likely find something else that was there waiting for me, somewhere in those tightly-packed shelves. What will I find when I go there next? And will it really take 5 hours? We shall see.

My husband and I were in Old Saybrook for an overnight stay. We stayed at a local B and B, had…read moredinner at Penny Lane Pub on Saturday night and attended a wonderful blues concert at The Kate. Sunday morning we had breakfast at Mirsina's which was delicious. We then took a walk on Main Street. We were talking about what a sweet town this is and the friendliness of all the people we interacted with. We enjoy book stores and decided to explore Harbor Books. When we walked in, we greeted the woman at the desk. She was the wife/ owner I believe. We made small talk and looked around for books we might want to buy. During this time, a male patron came in and was talking about a 20th century European history book he had read and asked for help finding 2 other out of print books by the same author. I was preparing to make a purchase of at least 1 or 2 hardcover novels and my husband was interested in local history. A conversation took place between the owner and patron and was pointedly opinionated political talk that was very disturbing and inappropriate. Needless to say, we abruptly left. I am sorry our wonderful overnight was marred by hateful this experience. I will never go there again.

This is a great little library in a community that is part of Essex. I'm not sure how useful it is…read moreas a library, but it is one of the oldest, library structures in the state. There are older libraries, for sure, but they have been renovated to the point of the original structures no longer being intact or recognizable. Not so here. The library is small, really small--again staying true to its original form. It has more character than any other library I've been to in Connecticut. At one time Ivoryton was the hub of ivory processing in the US, (hence its name) and when you come into the library they still have two large elephant tusks just sitting on the floor. Definitely worth a visit!

Masters and Johnson Sears and Roebuck…read moreSimon and Garfunkle Say and Brooke! Historical nuggets from this plaque include: 1) The town today known as Old Saybrook goes way back to 1635. 2) It was originally known as Say-Brooke; named for a Mr. Say and a Mr. Brooke. 3) Say-Brooke was the first settlement on the South shore of New England This is a one-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It's located on a small but very pretty village green with benches near 315 Main Street in Old Saybrook. The marker was dedicated in 1971 and is in very good condition.