WELCOME TO
BROOKSIDE FARM MUSEUM

About Us

Formerly called the Smith-Harris House the Brookside Farm Museum is one of three historic house museums in the town of East Lyme, CT. The indoors represents what a traditional farmhouse might have looked like between 1845-1955. It contains artifacts donated by townspeople and history enthusiasts. The grounds contain an event space (the barn and open land) and is becoming a Homegrown National Park.

Visit this 1845 Greek Revival-style farmhouse and property for a tour, a program or an event, today!

Explore Brookside

Discover the charm of Brookside Farm Museum! Plan your visit to explore our rich history and heritage. The Brookside Farm Museum is located at 33 Society Road, in Niantic, CT, 06357. The museum is open for visitors on Sundays from 1-3 (from June 1 - September 7). The grounds are open from dawn until dusk.

Special requests for tours outside of the regular hours can be made by appointment. Please email brooksidefarmmuseum@gmail.com, or call 860-333-8793.

To support our mission, a suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated.

Visit

Newsroom

Emily Fiore Joins the Brookside Farm Museum Commission

Please join us in welcoming Emily Fiore as the newest member of the Brookside Farm Museum Commission! Emily is a lifelong East Lyme resident and a 2024 graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in History. She has already brought that passion to Brookside through volunteer projects and research support. Emily is excited to deepen her knowledge of American and local history while contributing to Brookside’s growing slate of projec

Friends of Brookside Farm – Annual Meeting Highlights

Thank you to everyone who joined our Annual Meeting on January 25. Brookside is entering an exciting new chapter, and we were thrilled to share updates on restoration work, new exhibits, community programs, and ways for neighbors to get involved. The meeting covered our financial outlook, major projects underway, and plans for 2026—including the Hidden Histories abolitionist exhibit, continued Homegrown National Park ecological restoration, the return of children’s programmin

Brookside Farm Museum in East Lyme pitches new exhibit with abolitionist roots

2 3 4 5

Upcoming Events

Sun, Jun 07
Mark Place Kicks off the Brookside Summer Music Series
33 Society Rd
Details
Jun 07, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
33 Society Rd, 33 Society Rd, Niantic, CT 06357, USA
Come enjoy Mark Place, a Connecticut singer-songwriter and storyteller known for his relaxed, engaging style and classic rock ’n’ roll feel. His music is a perfect fit for a laid-back afternoon on the lawn at Brookside Farm.
Fri, Jun 19
Sowing the Story: the Sea Connects Us All
33 Society Rd
Buy Tickets
Jun 19, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
33 Society Rd, 33 Society Rd, Niantic, CT 06357, USA
Featuring a story of seaman out of New London, the mobility that water means for those seeking personal freedom and/or financial solvency.
Fri, Jul 10
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED - An Evening at the Museum with historic figures Clo Pratt and William "Billy" Lee
33 Society Rd
Details
Jul 10, 2026, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
33 Society Rd, 33 Society Rd, Niantic, CT 06357, USA
CANCELLED WITH APOLOGIES - Historian and performer Tammy Denease brings Clo Pratt, a Black woman living in Revolutionary-era Connecticut, vividly to life through storytelling and historical interpretation. Joining the program, Andre Keitt portrays William “Billy” Lee, the man enslaved by Geo
Fri, Jul 17
Growing the Story: The Legacy of '76
33 Society Rd
Buy Tickets
Jul 17, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
33 Society Rd, 33 Society Rd, Niantic, CT 06357, USA
As a young matron with three little girls in 1876, Lockie Avery was the target audience for the Centennial fever that brought the Colonial kitchen, bustles, and Martha Washington tea parties into high style for the first time in American history.
Fri, Aug 21
Tending the Story: The Fabric of Our Lives
33 Society Rd
Buy Tickets
Aug 21, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
33 Society Rd, 33 Society Rd, Niantic, CT 06357, USA
19th century New England frothed over with cloth, from the madness for merino sheep to King Cotton spinning & weaving through manufacturies like the Satinett Mill on Pattagansett Lake.
Fri, Sep 18
Reaping the Story: Harvest at the Farm
33 Society Rd
Buy Tickets
Sep 18, 2026, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
33 Society Rd, 33 Society Rd, Niantic, CT 06357, USA
The busiest time of the farm family's year is upon us with a bounty that needs preserving in both the short-term, looking towards Thanksgiving, and the long-term, looking towards next Spring.

Become a Member

Explore the rich history of Brookside Farm Museum, where tradition meets innovation. Immerse yourself in our collection of artifacts and exhibitions that showcase the evolution of farming. Your support helps us preserve the past for future generations. Join us in our mission to educate and inspire visitors of all ages. Every donation contributes to the conservation of our heritage. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of farming endures. Visit our donate page to make a difference today.

Learn More

Volunteer

Join us at the Brookside Farm Museum in Niantic, CT, and become an important part of our community! We welcome volunteers of all ages to help preserve our agricultural heritage and enhance our programs. Whether you’re interested in gardening, assisting with events, or engaging with visitors, your contributions make a meaningful impact. Experience the joy of working alongside fellow enthusiasts while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of our farm. Sign up today and help us keep our history alive!

Volunteering for the Brookside Farm Museum meets most community service requirements.

To discuss the ways that you might like to help, please email brooksidefarmmuseum@gmail.com or call 860-333-8793