author
Lewis Sprague Mills
1874–1965
A lifelong Connecticut educator and local historian, he turned regional history and folklore into books meant to be vivid, readable, and close to everyday life. His work helped generations of students and readers see the Litchfield Hills and the wider story of Connecticut with fresh interest.
1 Audiobook
Legend of Barkhamsted Light House A Tale from the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut
by Lewis Sprague Mills
About the author
Born in Canton Center, Connecticut, on September 5, 1874, Lewis Sprague Mills Sr. became known as an educator, photographer, writer, and local public figure whose work was deeply rooted in northwestern Connecticut. He spent many years supervising rural schools, and his interest in teaching shaped the kind of books he wrote.
Mills is especially remembered for writing about Connecticut history in a way that was meant for general readers and students, including The Story of Connecticut. He also wrote about local legends and places, drawing on the landscape and traditions of the Litchfield Hills. That mix of historian, storyteller, and teacher gives his books their distinctive charm.
He died on March 7, 1965. In Connecticut, his name remained familiar through his books and through Lewis S. Mills High School, named in his honor during his lifetime.