Haddam Libraries – two public libraries, The East Haddam Free Public Library] (18 Plains Rd, Moodus) and The Rathbun Free Memorial Library (36 Main St, East Haddam). EHFPL is well known for its teen and family programs, while Rathbun Library is known for its adult and child programs. Both have special collections in addition to offering basic library fare Gillette Castle State Park – historic former home of late actor William Gillette and river outlook on Route 82. Goodspeed Opera House – award-winning theater, on Route 82 near the East Haddam Bridge. Venture Smith Day – annual celebration at First Church Cemetery honoring Venture Smith, East Haddam resident and author of early slave narrative Historical Amasa Day House – historic museum, on Plains Road Boardman House Inn – built in 1860 as the home of Luther Boardman, now a luxury inn East Haddam Bridge – built in 1913, the 899-foot-long swing bridge is reputed to be the longest of its type in the world East Haddam Historical Society Museum – includes local history exhibits, including pictures of the construction of the East Haddam Swing Bridge. First Church of Christ – Congregational Church built in 1794, on Town Street. Gelston House – built in 1736, once a tavern and boarding house, now a restaurant and bar adjacent from the Goodspeed Opera House. Gideon Higgins house – site on the Underground Railroad, on Route 149. Johnsonville Village – once a thriving mill community, then a Victorian Era tourist attraction, then an abandoned ghost town, now owned by Iglesia ni Cristo. Nathan Hale School House – historic site, on Route 149, one of two Nathan Hale School Houses in Connecticut. St. Stephen's Bell – thought to be the oldest bell in the New World, it was cast in a Spanish monastery in 815 CE and brought to the US in 1834. It now hangs at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Route 149. Venture Smith's Grave – a site on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Natural Devil's Hopyard State Park, natural area with hiking trails, picnic areas, campground, and Chapman's Falls. Eagle viewing sites: Along the Connecticut River at the Town Office parking lot Near Riverhouse, overlooking the north side of the East Haddam Bridge Lake Hayward, long, wide spring-fed lake in northern section of East Haddam. Originally called Long Pond. Machimoodus State Park Sunrise Resort State Park Notable people Morgan Bulkeley (1837–1922), Baseball Hall