"Old-Fashioned Fourth" At Lester House Marks 175 Years Of Ledyard

History, music and summertime fun were at the “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July” Celebration at Lester House Monday afternoon. The festivities marked the final installment in the series of events recognizing Ledyard’s 175th Birthday. This was the fourth year Lester House  hosted the Fourth of July, drawing the biggest attendance it had seen yet.

The Ledyard Historical Society, which funded the event, led tours inside the main building and in the adjoining barns, showing visitors the handmade, Colonial-era artifacts. Groups also went out along the nearby trails to see the site of the Ledyard Oak.

Other entertainment at the event included old-fashioned stick and hoop games for kids. Historical society members brought homemade cookies and a birthday cake for the town of Ledyard. Cupcakes with red, white and blue frosting came courtesy of the Ledyard Senior Center.

Nearby, many families took to the fields to lounge in chairs or enjoy games of croquet, beanbag toss and badminton.

“It gives people the chance to experience the 100 acres and have a picnic and take a hike,” said Ellen Fossum of the Historical Society.

The Silver Coronet Band, out of Gales Ferry, provided marching music and patriotic tunes. Before they began playing, the crowd gathered in the shade of a large oak tree. No such luck for the band members who set up in the direct sun. Fortunately, the breeze began to pick up shortly before the concert, offering some relief.

Band Director Dave Moorehead had arrived from Mystic Seaport, where he and seven other band members had been playing Civil War songs.

“We play any kind of music,” he said with pride.

Fellow band member Lew Buckley, formerly of the Coast Guard Band, wrote some of the songs on the set list, including “Tall Ship Eagle.”

The band opened with “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Mayor Fred Allyn stepped out to greet the crowd. “It is a wonderful opportunity to share in a 175th birthday," Allyn said.

State Representative Tom Reynolds also came up and presented Allyn with a plaque from the Connecticut General Assembly congratulating the town on the 175th anniversary of its founding.

“We often take for granted how much we are surrounded by history,” Reynolds said. “It’s wonderful to have both a historical site and a historical occasion to celebrate on this holiday.”

Reynolds and State Senator Edith Prague had proposed the resolution to the General Assembly. The plaque came 175 years after the General Assembly approved Ledyard’s split from Groton in 1836, making it a distinct town.

Allyn also dedicated a familiar song to the Town of Ledyard with the band filling in behind him. The crowd on the green sang along.

“Happy birthday to you…”