Brookside Farm Museum is a historic Greek Revival home and landscape in the heart of East Lyme, directly connected to the Community Center. For generations, the property has been part of the town’s story. Today, it is entering a new chapter as a place where history, nature, and community life come together.

The Friends of Brookside Farm Museum supports the preservation, interpretation, and activation of this historic site through volunteer service, fundraising, and collaborative programming that expand public access and strengthen long-term sustainability.

Our goal is simple but meaningful: to care for Brookside’s buildings, landscape, and stories while creating opportunities for people to gather, learn, and connect with each other, the past, and the natural world.

Over the past year, important work has begun to restore and reimagine Brookside. Major structural repairs to the historic house are now underway after years of deferred maintenance, marking the most significant investment in the property in decades. At the same time, new partnerships and programs are helping bring the site to life in ways that are relevant to the community today.

Several exciting initiatives are currently underway including but not limited to:

• Hidden Histories of 1850 Exhibit – exploring the life of Amos Costin, a Black child who lived at Brookside in 1850, alongside the story of The Christian Freeman, an abolitionist newspaper discovered hidden behind the walls of the house. The newspaper is the only artifact original to the house aside from the structure itself. This research-based interpretation connects Brookside’s story to broader conversations about justice, community, and the American experience.

• Ecological Restoration through the Homegrown National Park Initiative – invasive species across much of the 40-acre site have been removed, hundreds of native plants have been established, and the use of pesticides has been completely eliminated. A restoration plan for the wooded area behind the house will create a biodiverse wildlife habitat, restore the woodland trail, and provide a quiet place for reflection and environmental learning.

• Living History Programming with the Dirty Blue Shirts – collaboration with this respected regional reenactment group will bring immersive historic interpretation to Brookside, helping visitors experience the past through demonstrations, storytelling, and interactive programs.

• Connecticut 250th Commemoration – Brookside will participate in the statewide commemoration of America’s founding with a special living-history performance on July 10, bringing untold stories of the Revolutionary era to life for the Southeastern Connecticut community.

• Expanded Cultural and Educational Programming – concerts, workshops, youth activities, and living-history demonstrations are being developed with the help of community partners and volunteers.

Together, these efforts are helping Brookside grow from a preserved historic house into a vibrant community resource where history, culture, and the landscape are cared for together.

The Friends of Brookside Farm Museum is a volunteer-driven organization that raises funds, supports programming, and helps steward the property for the future. Every gift to this campaign directly supports the programs, restoration work, and educational experiences that bring Brookside to life.

With your support, you become a Friend of Brookside Farm Museum and help us continue to nurture Brookside Farm as a place where people gather, learn, explore, and share in the stories that shape our community.

Support Brookside Farm Museum | Preserve History, Landscape & Community

Your gift advances the programs, environmental restoration, and living history that bring Brookside Farm to life for the benefit of all.

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