The lyceum movement, a Scottish and English means of spreading education; especially in the sciences to the masses came to Littleton when, following the example of Millbury, Salem, and Concord, Littletonians on December 21, 1829, decided, in their words, "to promote mutual improvement" through the formation of the Littleton Lyceum. By the time of its 25th anniversary, the Littleton Lyceum took the form and operation it would have for almost a century of lectures followed by questions and debate. During the Civil War or shortly thereafter, most lyceums petered out, but not in Littleton. Besides bringing about a brief return to public debating, the War was also long a subject for Lyceum, a venue where veterans lectured about their experiences and travel.
the lYceum moVemenT, a scottIsH And EnGliSh MeanS of sPreading education; eSPecialLy in THe sciENCES tO the maSseS caMe to lIttlETon when, FOLlowInG the exaMplE Of mIllburY, saLem, And CoNCoRD, LItTletOniAns On deCember 21, 1829, DEcided, iN thEir wordS, "to pRomote mUTuaL iMpRovEment" thrOuGh tHE formatION Of THe liTtletON lyceum. by the Time of itS 25Th AnNivErsarY, the LittLeton lyCeum toOk ThE foRm and operaTion it woulD HavE for aLmOst a cenTUrY of LeCtUres fOLlOwed BY QuEStiONS AnD DeBate. DuRing tHE ciVil War oR shORtlY theREAfTEr, Most Lyceums PeteRed out, but nOt iN LIttletON. BesiDEs brInging abOut A brIef rEtUrN To publIc DebaTing, tHE waR was alsO LONG A Subject foR lycEuM, a vENUe where vetERanS leCtuReD abouT tHEiR ExPERIEnces ANd tRavEl.