Printer Friendly Version - History’s on the Move in Essex

From left, Ralph Hermann of Antique Auto Service, Susan Malan of the Essex Historical Society, and Jay Beveridge of the Belltown Antique Car Club admire the 1950 Chrysler Imperial Limousine, owned by the E.E. Dickinson Company, that is one of the many classic automobiles that will be participating in the fifth annual Fall Foliage Car Show and Tour taking place on Sunday, Oct. 18 in Essex.

Everyone in the area is familiar with the famed Deep River Muster, but have you heard of the Essex Car Muster? It will be happening on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. as part of the Essex Historical Society’s fifth annual Fall Foliage Antique Auto Show and Tour, which this year will be tied into the 60th anniversary celebration of the E.E. Dickenson Witch Hazel Company.

The muster, or parade, will showcase a wide array of automobiles of all makes and models that are older than 25 years. Following an informal presentation of the E.E. Dickinson Witch Hazel history, the cars will traverse through town past the former homes and business sites of the Dickinson family, winding along a fantastic foliage tour that will include River Road and Route 145 in Deep River leading to the East Haddam bridge, then heading south on Route 154 along the east side of the Connecticut River through Lyme and Old Lyme and over the Baldwin Bridge to end up in Old Saybrook.

“The show and tour is one of our most popular events,” said Melissa Josefiak, director of the Essex Historical Society, a non-profit formed in 1955 that’s currently 250 members strong.

“None of this would be possible without the support of the Belltown Car Club, the Witch Hazel Works, and our year-long initiative partner, the Valley Railroad Company,” said Josefiak. “We are thrilled that this annual event has proved to be a perfect platform to continue our 60th anniversary initiative of showcasing the historical impact of the E.E. Dickinson Company and the making of witch hazel products here in Essex.”

In 2015 the Essex Historical Society has put on several special events to celebrate the anniversary year. It kicked things off in the spring and has continued with a variety of Dickinson initiative programs. These events will culminate with completion of the refurbishment of the “Yellow Label” building, which is currently underway at the Valley Railroad. This building’s restoration is on schedule to be fully completed in May 2016, which will mark the end of the anniversary year celebration.

All car and automobile enthusiasts who wish to be part of the show and tour, and have a car that is older than 25 years, are welcome to be part of this special event. For more information, call EHS at 860-767-0681 or visit www.essexhistory.org. The Witch Hazel Works is located at 8 Railroad Avenue, off Route 154 (exit 3 off Route 9), next to the water tower and the main entrance of the Valley Railroad/Essex Steam Train parking area.