The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center Is Moving in 2021

OLD LYME, CT — The Connecticut Audubon Society's Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC) is moving. The organization, which began its life in the back of a car, then upgraded to its current office space, housed at 90 Halls Road, in Old Lyme, in the Big Y strip mall complex, has decided to make a move to a larger, more appropriate home, for a nature-based organization. It will be taking up residency on the shore of the Lieutenant River, housing its offices, education programs and summer camps, at the former Bee and Thistle Inn property, located at 100 Lyme Street.

Expanding from its current 1600 square foot office space, to a sprawling 88,000 square foot historic Inn, housed on 5.25 acres, resting on the scenic banks of the Lieutenant River, the property is a perfect backdrop for a nature-centric organization. According to the RTPEC press release about the move, the property also includes access to wetland areas, as well as a 56-acre section of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

“Right now, although we are grateful for our current office space at 90 Halls Road, it is not a very picturesque spot,” said Alisha Milardo, Director of the RTPEC. “We’ve come a long way since we began five years ago in the back of the car. We are very excited about the move."

The plan is to set up shop at the new location within the next 12 to 18 months and to create a unique environmental education center for people of all ages. It will become the estuary center’s new headquarters and will include a room for public talks and workshops, a location for summer day camp and a staging area for research on the ecology of the estuary.

The RTPEC currently reaches 5,000 young people and adults across the region through environmental education programs at schools, online and in the field.

“The RTPEC is one of our jewels, and this new facility is in a perfect location for a nature center that focuses on the estuarine environment,” said Connecticut Audubon Executive Director Patrick Comins, in the RTCPEC public press release. "We can't wait to introduce people to its birds and wildlife and to use it as a launching area for more great outings. The volunteers who had the vision to establish the center in 2015 and then to keep building on its success deserve all the credit for this."

The Center is named after Roger Tory Peterson, the famed artist, writer, teacher, and conservationist who lived and worked in Old Lyme. It partners with several different organizations throughout the state, working diligently to forward environmental education and create one of a kind learning experiences. It also collaborates with the Florence Griswold Museum, Connecticut College, the University of Connecticut and several more. Hopes are that in the new location a more in-depth focus will be put on more collaborative efforts, including a unique scientist in residency program, offering teacher professional development offerings and more programs to engage schools in scientific research studies.

“Old Lyme is such a great place to be. There is so much beauty, history and nature here that people have been captivated by for so long, we could not have asked for a better place,” said Milardo.

She added, “Our vision, as an organization, is deeply rooted in the community. Education is one of our biggest focuses and primarily what we do, so it was imperative that we have a space that is conducive to environmental education and learning in the future. Our goal is to reach even more students, with future initiatives, expand our enrichment programs by bringing the science of our local community to others.”

Closing on the property, which according to Realtor.com has been on the market for the past 441 days, is set for the end of December. The Connecticut Audubon is planning a comprehensive campaign to cover the purchase price and renovations.

“We are very fortunate to have generous supporters and benefactors,” said Milardo, who explained that it is important to the RTPEC to preserve the Bee and Thistle landmark for the community. The 11 bedroom 12.5-bathroom home was built in 1756 as a residence for Judge William Noyes and his family. It has been a prominent mainstay property in the community for over two hundred years. In recent years it has operated as an Inn, restaurant and special event venue. After more than ten years of running the business, owner David Rufo announced his plans to sell the property and retire in the fall of 2019.