Mystic Bascule Bridge Turns 100

Press release from Bridge Marketing:

April 7, 2022

The Mystic River Bascule Bridge, the oldest of its kind in the United States turns 100 this summer! This famous Bridge has had a long history dating back to the 1800’s, but the current Bridge (Bascule Bridge stands for a moveable bridge with a counterweight that continually balances a span or leaf), was first opened on July 19, 1922. One of the top five reasons visitors come to Mystic every year, the Bascule Bridge has been connecting communities such as Groton and Stonington for a century, while also providing a landing place for the towns and the people who represent the Mystic Region.

Beginning in April 2022…
The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce (GMCC), the Mystic River Historical Society, and Foxwoods Resort Casino are partnering with a host of for-profit and non-profit organizations to commemorate the Mystic Bascule Bridge’s 100th Anniversary. Events will occur all spring and summer leading to a ceremony, dedication, and Fireworks Display over the Mystic River, sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino on October 15, 2022.

Bridge Scholarship Fund
As part of their commitment to this event and the local community, Foxwoods Resort Casino and the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce have created a scholarship program available to incoming high school seniors from the four neighboring schools: Stonington High School, Fitch High School, Grasso Technical High School, and Westerly High School in Rhode Island. The four winners will be announced at the Mystic Bascule Bridge Dedication on October 15, 2022.
“We are honored to work alongside the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce to celebrate Mystic Bascule Bridge’s 100th Anniversary,” said Jason Guyot, CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino.

“Foxwoods has always been committed to supporting the local community and is elated to be working with this impactful organization to establish the Bridge Scholarship. Knowing that we played a part in supporting our neighbors gives us a tremendous sense of pride, and we look forward to building on this program year after year.”

The celebration begins this April with a lecture on the History of the Bridge by the Mystic River Historical Society at the Mystic Congregational Church on Wednesday, April 27th.

In May, through the generosity of the owners of Whaler’s Inn, GMCC will open the Mystic Visitor and Information Center in the former Mystical Toys building at the base of the Bascule Bridge through the fall of 2022. Much of the space will be dedicated to the history of the Mystic Bascule Bridge. Five other locations in and around Mystic including Hilton Mystic, Mystic YMCA, Olde Mistick Village, Mystic Seaport and Foxwoods Resort Casino will also have displays dedicated to the last 100 years of the Mystic Bascule Bridge.

"The Mystic River Historical Society is pleased to have the opportunity to share photos and information from our archives about the bascule bridge and the previous five bridges that were at the site," Stephen Menno, society president said. "We hope people will visit the information center and the bridge trail this summer to learn more about this important part of Mystic's history."

On Friday, May 27th the GMCC will open the BRIDGE TRAIL, 50+ stores found throughout Mystic that have created special, limited time Bridge Anniversary Items, Promotions and Offers designed to help defray the costs of Bridge Anniversary Events and help build the Bridge Scholarship Fund for years to come! A complete list of stores, locations and promotions will be available at mysticchamber.org as well as on the Bridge Anniversary App available from the chamber’s website. The BRIDGE TRAIL is open through October 15th, 2002.

“To say this is a once in a lifetime event is an enormous understatement. The Mystic Bridge has played such a significant role in our local and regional history standing as a symbol for our local community while attracting millions around the globe who travel here to discover the magic of Mystic. Stay tuned as events begin to unfold this spring as we celebrate another significant milestone for our town,” Bruce Flax, President Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce.
Events continue through Saturday, October 15th where Fireworks over the Mystic River end the celebration.

Calendar of Events:

Friday, April 1: Bridge App/GMCC Events App is available to Download!

Saturday, April 2: The Mystic River Historical Society invites the public to the opening reception for “100 years of the Mystic River Bridge” from 2:00 to 4:00 at the Groton Public Library.

Wednesday, April 27: Lecture on the History of the Bascule Bridge by the Mystic River Historical Society at the First Congregational Church of Mystic!

Sunday, May 1: Opening of the GMCC Tourism & Visitor Information Center at the foot of the Stonington side of the Bridge!

Saturday, May 7: History Locations open at Hilton Mystic, Mystic YMCA, Olde Mistick Village, Mystic Seaport, and Foxwoods Resort Casino!

Friday, May 27: BRIDGE TRAIL OPENS!

Saturday, June 4: 100th Anniversary Commemorative Magazine is available!

Saturday, June 11: Bridge Anniversary Photo Competition Begins!

Tuesday, July 19: Mystic Bascule Bridge 100th Birthday Announcement!

Saturday, October 15th: The Official Bridge Anniversary Dedication & Fireworks Celebration!
Head to Mysticchamber.org often as new events are added, and the latest information unfolds!

You can also follow the Mystic Chamber on Facebook and Instagram.

Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, for over 80 years, serves as the business voice for Groton, Stonington, and Mystic. Our mission is to advocate for business and tourism; to promote business alliances; to provide valuable benefits and services to our members; and to serve as a strong community partner in the economic development efforts in the Greater Mystic area. We sponsor and facilitate community events, promote local business and the regional tourism industry, are a resource for small business owners, provide opportunities to get involved with the community, and serve as an advocate for our members with local government.

Foxwoods Resort Casino
As the largest resort casino in North America, Foxwoods Resort Casino offers guests a premier destination resort experience throughout its six world-class casinos; AAA Four-Diamond hotels featuring over 2,200 rooms; dining options for all tastes; luxurious spas; award-winning golf; state-of-the-art theaters; Tanger Outlet Mall; conference space for groups of all sizes; and free online casino games at FoxwoodsONLINE.com. There is always something new at Foxwoods, most recently the arrival of Foxwoods Extreme Adventures. Adventure knows no limit as guests can zipline or race around on a European-style indoor karting track. Foxwoods Resort Casino truly is The Wonder Of It All, providing a personalized and exciting escape for everyone. Foxwoods, opened in 1992, is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. For a detailed look at Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation visit Foxwoods.com.

Mystic River Historical Society
The Mystic River Historical Society, founded in 1973, owns an ever-growing collection of Mystic-related historical books, maps, photographs, and other documents and artifacts contributed by the community. The mission of the Mystic River Historical Society is to collect, arrange, exhibit, and preserve records, papers, photographs, artifacts, relics, and related archival materials that document the history of the people who lived in the area around the Mystic River from the first settlement in 1654 to the present.

This press release was produced by Bridge Marketing. The views expressed here are the author's own.