Custom House Maritime Museum home of New London Maritime Society

The Custom House Maritime Museum, home of New London Maritime Society, is the oldest continuously operating customhouse in the United States. The Museum brings New London's three century long relationship with the sea to life through both its unique architectural details and its exhibitions: Amistad: Voyage to Freedom; the Jibboom Club; or Commerce & Contraband: Story of the New London Custom House.

Housed in a handsome federal-style granite building designed by Robert Mills in 1833 to be the first fireproof building in New England, the Custom House Maritime Museum is an architectural treasure featuring double basements, vaulted ceilings, a flying staircase, heart-of-pine floors and entrance doors made of wood that witnessed the war of 1812.

New London's only downtown museum, the Custom House Maritime Museum also offers a research library and a lecture series. Its parent organization, New London Maritime Society, is one of the sponsoring organizations of New London's Freedom Weekend, an annual celebration held every August that inspires awareness of New London's pivotal role in the Amistad story and celebrates the principles of freedom and human dignity. New London Maritime Society is also the sponsor of an annual Reid MacCluggage Maritime History Scholarship for area high school juniors and seniors.

LOCATION:

Custom House Maritime Museum

150 Bank Street

New London, CT 06320

Phone (860) 447-2501

Fax (860) 447-8086

E-mail: nlmaritime@gmail.com

HOURS:

Open: April through December, daily except Mondays, 1pm to 5 pm AND by appointment

January to March: by appointment only

ADMISSION:

FREE for individuals and families - BUT DONATIONS GLADLY ACCEPTED!!

GROUP TOURS - $3/person; please book ahead.