Mystic River Historical Society
74 High Street
P. O. Box 245
Mystic, CT 06355
Welcome to the Mystic River Historical Society
MRHS is located in Mystic, Connecticut, centered around the famous Mystic Bridge which has connected the towns of Groton and Stonington for nearly 200 years. We are some 300 strong and have been dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the greater Mystic area since 1973. We’re a totally volunteer organization offering a wide variety of opportunities for those who are willing and able to contribute time and energy.
May 27, 2026 - The Controversial Death of Colonel William Ledyard (1738-1781)
by John Steward
The time honored tale of Colonel William Ledyard’s gallant death in the Battle of Groton Heights has a shadowy history. John Steward, a columnist and local historian with over 30 columns published on Colonel William Ledyard and Fort Griswold, will examine the controversy surrounding Ledyard’s death, from its creative beginning in 1781 to today, illustrating how the story became an urban legend.
The program will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 at the Parish Hall of the Mystic Congregational Church. The program is free to members and $10 for nonmembers.
Engraving of Mystic's Civil War Monument - November 5, 2025
Thanks to the efforts of Marilyn Comrie and Elizabeth Boucher, and a generous grant from the Charles B. Allyn Foundation, on November 5 Buzzi Memorials engraved Mystic's Civil War Monument with the names of eight Mystic soldiers who gave their lives during the Civil War to preserve our country. The engraving of these names was intended when the Monument was dedicated in 1883, but never realized until now. See the Scenes of Mystic page for more photographs.
Unveiling of Cottrell Lumber Co. Panel at Mystic River Park - October 25, 2025
On Saturday, October 25, the Mystic River Historical Society and the Mystic River Park Commission unveiled a panel about the Cottrell Lumber Co. and a plaque acknowledging the significant contribution of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe in establishing the park. See the Scenes of Mystic page for more photographs.
The Cottrell Lumber Co. panel was made possible by a grant from the Charles B. Allyn Foundation
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to read the current issue of our monthly newsletter, Portersville Press
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to review past issues
of Portersville Press
Click here to view virtual tour of Portersville Academy
Portersville Academy
Visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mystichistory
Visit us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mystic_history
Join Us Today!
When you join MRHS, you become part of an active organization that welcomes your involvement.
Benefits include:
- Free speaker programs (October, December, February, March, April, and May)
- Access to MRHS archives, including thousands of documents, photographs, books and maps
- Five bi-monthly newsletters with news of MRHS activities and articles of interest
Your membership supports the on-going preservation of our collection and our property. It also makes available to the public lectures on topics of historic interest. To join, visit our membership page.
Please note that MRHS has no affiliation with the Town of Groton's Historic District Commission, and does not regulate any building projects.
Donate to MRHS below.
