History of the Mystic River in Maps: 1620-1960 with George Crouse

    George Crouse, President of the Indian & Colonial Research Center and retired social studies teacher and geographer, will lead us through the historic maps of the Mystic River Valley from the collections of the Indian & Colonial Research Center (ICRC) on Thursday, September 14th at 6 pm at the La Grua Center in Stonington. The ICRC was formed in 1965 to preserve the extensive historical collections of Mrs. Eva Lutz Butler, a teacher, local historian, and anthropologist. Collections include manuscripts, out of print books, vintage maps and photographs, Indian artifacts, genealogical material and notebooks relating to the Southeastern New England Indian and Colonial period.

Historic maps provide invaluable insights into historical research including land uses, property boundaries, family genealogy and inheritance practices. These maps often note aspects of the cultural landscape that can be obscured over time. In the digital world of google maps and ubiquitous GPS devices, cartography is something of a lost art. Cartographers combined extensive skills in science, engineering, and surveying combined with beautiful artistic flourishes to create lasting images of the landscape.

George Crouse is a graduate of Stonington High School and taught social studies and served as the tennis coach there for more than 40 years. He has also served in local government on the Board of Police Commissioners, more than five years as a selectman, and also as an interim first selectman.

director@stoningtonhistory.org                                  860-535-8445 x10