Histoury to host “Colonials of Old Lyme” tour featuring access to historic home interiors

Old Lyme, CT In 2026, Histoury is celebrating America’s 250^th birthday throughout the entire year with a special goal: to pass or include 250 colonial homes across their 2026 tours. One of the season’s most exclusive offerings is “Colonials of Old Lyme: A Tour of Connecticut Historic Home Interiors,” a one-day-only charter bus experience taking place Saturday, May 2, 2026.

This tour brings guests inside several colonial-era homes in Old Lyme, with many additional historic buildings highlighted along the route from the comfort of a private charter bus. Architectural themes include vernacular New England styles, Georgian, and Federal homes, paired with guided storytelling about the people, preservation, and pivotal moments of Old Lyme’s past.

Because this tour includes private home interiors, it is offered one day only and will not be repeated — this year or in years to come. 

Located where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound, Old Lyme was a coveted spot for European colonists. First part of the Saybrook Colony established in 1635, it became the epicenter of the new town of Lyme in 1667 before officially forming its own boundaries in 1727. By the time the community held its own “Boston Tea Party” in 1774, local dwellings were evolving from simple Cape Cod-style homes into larger, more stately residences — an architectural variety that still defines Old Lyme’s landscape today.

Interior stops include a 1699 home that may have later served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, a beautiful saltbox-style home, and more (select interior stops are private; capacity is limited).

What’s Included

Guided exploration of historic buildings, architecture, and local history

Multiple interior stops inside colonial-era homes

Charter-bus format for comfortable point-to-point travel

Photo previews of select interior stops included in promotional materials