Spinning Wheel

East Lyme, CT

Thomas Lee House

East Lyme, CT

Recently a number of historic homes in East Lyme, CT had open houses, and I plan to feature some photos from my visits to this homes.  Pictured here is the Thomas Lee House, parts of which date back to 1660, making it one of the oldest wood-framed homes in Connecticut.  It was owned by the Lee family for over 200 years and now is maintained by the East Lyme Historical Society.

City Wide Baptist Church

New London, CT

One doesn't need a fancy building with a tall impressive spire to have a church.  I'm not sure what this building housed before becoming a church.

Seeing Eye

New London, CT

I posted a picture of this particular store front not too long ago, noting that I thought the eyes looked kind of creepy.  I still think they look creepy behind this reflection.  I hope James doesn't mind a somewhat creepy reflection in Weekend Reflections.  Have a nice weekend! 

Center Church on the Green

New Haven, CT

Church spires always look majestic, towering over the local city scape.  This the First Church of Christ, also known as the Center Church on the Green, since it is situated between two other historic churches on the New Haven Green.  The congregation was organized in 1639 and congregation members included many of the founders of New Haven and early settlers in this region.  The current church, or meeting hall, was built between 1812 and 1814 and was built over a portion the colony's ancient burial grounds.  The original graves and headstones were left intact, in place and undisturbed, to be protected by the church's foundation.  This crypt can still be visited today where one can see these headstones in remarkably good shape, documenting the early colonial history of Connecticut. 

United Church on the Green

New Haven, CT

This is one of the historic churches located on the New Haven Green.  The church was built in the federal style in 1814 by the local builder/architect David Hoadley.

Crocker House-Rear View

New London

Usually the rear-views of buildings are not very pretty.  In this case however, the rear-view of the Crocker House, featured in yesterday's post, is really very attractive.  

Crocker House

New London

The Crocker House was built in 1873 as luxury hotel.  Today the building houses a nice mix of retail businesses and reasonably priced apartments for rent.  They even have a great ballroom used for social events.

For Lease

New London

A very common sight in downtown New London.

Student Mural

New London, CT

I guess I've never noticed if any of the other New London murals pictured here in recent posts have been attributed to a particular group or a single artist.  I'll have to go back and look more carefully. This one was done in 2010 by students of New London High School.  It certainly is colorful and diverse, representing the history, diversity and culture of the city. 

Bank Street Reflections

New London, CT

Unfortunately there are a lot of empty store fronts in downtown New London.  They do make for some great reflections though.  If you like reflections please visit Weekend Reflections hosted by James.  Enjoy the weekend and as always, thanks for stopping by. 

Devolution

New London

I think devolution is evolution in reverse?  I'm not sure what it has to do either with this building or mural.  I do like the portrait here.

215 Bank St

New London

Does anyone else find the eyes just a little bit creepy? 

Dutch Tavern

New London

Tucked away off the main thoroughfares of New London is the Dutch Tavern.  It is the oldest tavern in New London, having opened for business in 1933, shortly after the end of prohibition.  I didn't know that in Connecticut, there is a difference between a bar and a tavern.  A true tavern has a license to sell only beer, wine, cider and food, if they so desire.  With such a restrictive license, the once popular neighborhood taverns have dwindled in numbers and it is thought that there are only 10 taverns as such left in Connecticut.  This tavern has a bit of history associated it with it.  Playwright Eugene O'Neill, who spent his summers growing up in New London, is said to have frequented this establishment during the years before prohibition, when it was known as "The Oak".   

Two Tattoo Parlors

New London

I would expect that in a city with a heritage tied to the sea and the whaling industry there would be a preponderance of tattoo parlors and bars.  This is true even today.  I've never had any desire to get a tattoo, but if I ever wanted to, I think I would choose Whaling City Tattoo over the shop pictured in the upper photo.  You gotta love the sign in the door of Whaling City Tattoo.  Clicking on the picture will open a larger version, and perhaps you'll be able to read it.  If you can't the sign says:

Be sure to get in

 the right shop

there are a lot of 

fakers tattooing

around here.

Who knew??