Essex Historical Society and Essex Meadows present History Hour. This program features a speaker, author, presenter, or musician once a month through 2026. This month’s presentation is called Revolution Close to Home: Five Lives in Early Potapaug during America's Turning Point 

Patriots and Loyalists, enslaved and free, women and warriors.  Essex Historical Society (EHS) Director Melissa Josefiak details the complex relationships and shifting allegiances during the American Revolution in the Potapaug village of Saybrook, now known as Essex.  Learn about five unforgettable individuals whose experience reflected these tumultuous times.  

Uriah Hayden

Formerly located at the foot of Main Street in Essex, the Hayden Shipyard is known for building the American Revolutionary War ship The Oliver Cromwell.

History hour is FREE and open to the public. We recommend arriving to Hamilton Hall by 9:50 am. as seating is available first-come, first-served. No need to register for this event. In the unlikely event that the program changes or needs to be canceled, please check EHS social media and website.