Iconic Bee And Thistle Inn To Become Estuary Center

OLD LYME, CT — The property of the iconic former Bee & Thistle Inn is slated to become the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, a nature and education organization connected to the Connecticut Audubon Society, CT Examiner reported. It's expected that the center will close on the property before the end of the year.

Renovations on the historic property are expected to last two to three years. The nonprofit environmental organization is embarking on a two-year campaign to raise $5.6 million to purchase the land and pay for maintenance and operations, according to the CT Examiner.

The center plans to have green space on the Lieutenant River along with a range of educational programs.

The Bee & Thistle Inn was put on the market for $2.5 million in September 2019. The inn was an 11-bedroom, 12-bath, 9,000-square-foot space.

From its 'about' page, its history is detailed: "The inn was built in 1756 as a residence for Judge William Noyes and his family and originally sat near the Boston Post Road but was moved back to its present position and renovated by the Hodgdson family at the turn of the last century. At that time, the sunken garden, the porches and back portion of the house were added.

"In the 1930's, Henrietta Greenleaf Lindsay, a widow with a large house to maintain, followed the advice of her actress friend, Elsie Ferguson, and opened the Bee and Thistle Inn to the public. Because it was Elsie's idea, it was named the Bee and Thistle Inn after the Ferguson clan emblem in Scotland. It has remained an inn since that time offering charming accommodations, award-winning dining and gracious service.

"The town of Old Lyme, once a shipping colony, became well known in the late nineteenth century as an arts community. The town has remained committed to supporting the arts and preserving its quiet charm. Following this tradition, the Bee and Thistle Inn features artwork from local galleries as well as individual pieces from area artists."