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.
OMHC Featured on Local TV
We’re thrilled to share that Southeastern Connecticut Television has featured OMHC in its latest episode of "Nautical Tales and Nature Trails: Recreation in Southeastern Connecticut and Southern Rhode Island." Board member John Goodrich gave an interview about the History Center, and the episode is now live on YouTube. Watch it here.
Spotlight On Volunteers: Hannah DelGrego
Hannah DelGrego is currently pursuing a degree in history at Connecticut College and has long held a strong interest in museum work. She has gained valuable experience working in her college's library archives where she has created both individual and collaborative projects using archival letters, magazines, photographs and books.
“I hope to learn more about what it's like to work in a museum or archive setting,” she says. “I'm especially interested in seeing what goes on behind the scenes at a public museum -- how exhibits are developed and how library and museum operations function day-to-day.” Hannah has developed skills in creating digital archive libraries and has always been
passionate about writing. She also has some experience in video editing and design, which she hopes to continue building on through her volunteer work.
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.
