A Museum, Library, & Exhibit Gallery
The Old Mystic History Center (formerly the Indian and Colonial Research Center) is a non-profit organization founded in 1965 to preserve the historical research of Eva Lutz Butler.
She was a woman who was passionate about history at a time when a woman's place was NOT leading archaeological digs, conducting anthropological interviews, or writing academic articles.
Are you passionate about history too? Our special research collections will help you find your roots and learn about your history.
In addition, we have accurate information for academic researchers, educators, archaeologists, students, and others to help you add to your story. We are a museum, library, and exhibit gallery located in the historic 1856 Mystic Bank building on Route 27 in Old Mystic, Connecticut.
Reaching Out to the Public
Reaching Out to the Public:
Otis Library Exhibit: In May, Board members Richard Guidebeck and John Goodrich set up the cases at the Otis Library for a OMHC exhibit. John offered items from his Old Mystic house for display. Dr. Dudley Woodbridge who built John’s house in the 1700’s, was also a rum merchant. Documents showing where a person owing Woodbridge money for rum did not have the funds to pay him. Woodbridge’s son, who was settling the estate, offered Woodbridge land across from the 'Town Green' in Norwich for repayment. This exhibit ran through June 1st.
The Otis Library asked us if we would be available to provide another exhibit in case the scheduled exhibitors were unable to participate.
Continuing the Legacy
For more than thirty years, members of the Indian & Colonial Research Center's Board of Directors have discussed updating the identity of the Center.
In January 2020, after a two-year deliberative process, the Board made the decision to rebrand the “Indian & Colonial Research Center” with the “Old Mystic History Center” to reflect the growth in our collections. Over the past 50 years, our archival collection has expanded to include many fine manuscripts, publications, photographs, and physical objects connected to the rich and varied history of our area.
While Indigenous and colonial materials are still a large part of our collection’s strengths, our responsibility as the governing board is to care for and promote all the items under our stewardship. We need our research center to maintain relevance, visibility, and viability in the changing world of the 21st Century. The change in our name attempts to address these issues in a realistic community-centered way.
