New London Maritime Society (NLMS) - CUSTOM HOUSE MARITIME MUSEUM 150 Bank Street, New London, Connecticut 06320 - phone: 860-447-2501 fax: 860-447-8086
The Custom House Maritime Museum - your local, independent, community museum - open year-round - telling the stories of New London's waterfront!
This year is our 30th Anniversary - Every day in every way we're getting better and better.
'Very Good Summer' read the editorial in The Day.
Three special Diving Exhibitions
SECONN Skin Dive Club's New London and our Maritime Heritage - An Underwater View: a collection of artifacts representing the region’s collective maritime history. The New London Maritime Society - Custom House Maritime Museum hosts SECONN Skin Divers Club's exhibition, New London and our Maritime Heritage: An Underwater View. Artifacts in the exhibition, salvaged by club members in the waters off of New London, represent southeastern Connecticut's collective maritime history and connect to maritime casualties, the shipping trade, and the past life of a working seaport. Individual pieces are linked to the different shipwreck sites where they were found on a large chart of Long Island Sound. From fossilized Megalodon shark teeth millions of year old (this extinct monster was similar to today's Great White), to local industry and daily life over the past two centuries, the influence of two World Wars, and the tragedies associated with marine casualties, this show offers land-lubber's a view of the SECONN Skin Divers' mysterious realm. The SECONN exhibition opening takes place on Saturday, November 2, from 5 to 7 PM at the Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank Street, New London. The event is free & open to the public.
Vintage Dive Equipment from Two Private Collectors: Jay Kane & Ed Uditis
Visit the MUSEUM SHOP today for deep-sea diving & other nautical note cards, scarves, tea towels and rubber stamps, cookie cutters, special ribbons, new & vintage maritime books, toys, old-time gifts, and ornaments. We have Lighthouse Keepers caps, Old Town Mill corn meal for Johnny Cakes, balloon-powered toy boats, Mark Shasha books & prints; USCG video about the Eagle; whale bottle openers , cards, & coffee mug; and terrific photography. We're open from 1 to 5 PM Tuesday through Sunday!
Thank you all for a wonderful summer of Lighthouse activities!
You can visit New London Harbor Light by land, by appointment, any time.
Call 860-447-2501 to arrange your visit. Regularly scheduled tours are every Wednesday at 1 and 3 PM; reservations are required. Admission is $35 for adults, $15 children ages 8 through 13.
Every Thursday, from 5 to 6 o'clock PM we're on TV.
Watch New London Maritime Society (NLMS) Custom House Maritime Matters, on New London Metrocast cable TV, channel 25, with host Dr. George Sprecace.
EXHIBITIONS
AMISTAD: A True Story of Freedom
a new permanent exhibition at the site of the original Amistad events of 1839.
See New London Maritime Society's Amistad exhibition at United Nations headquarters, NYC, March 2010. CLICK >> HERE. Read the latest about Amistad America in The Day 1.23.12
International Day of Rememberance at the United Nations - March 25, 2012
Vintage Dive Helmets from two private collections.
Special exhibitions
The
museum's most important artifact may well be the building, itself. Built
in 1833 as New London's U.S Custom House and designed by architect Robert Mills,
it has been the museum's home since 1983. The historic Greek revival building, itself, is 180 years old.
Want to know what's up?
Sign up to receive our weekly email blasts!
Watch what we do
Volunteer at the Custom House!
Visit our sister Custom House in Newburyport, MA.
Seafood WATCH - What seafood to buy now.
Click right to see > Community / History Links
Keep up with >> USCG Tall Ship Eagle
What is the World Beach (Sculpture) Project?
For all the events going on Downtown, visit the District Community Calendar.
Remember: The Custom House is available for private rentals.
NB: Per the fire marshal, our maximum occupancy is 49 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
The New London Maritime Society/Custom House Maritime Museum is made possible by generous grants from The Chester Kitchings Family Foundation, the Connecticut Humanities Council, Dominion Foundation, the Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation, the Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, the Community Foundation of Eastern CT, Veolia / New London Water Authority, & and by the work of dedicated volunteers, members & friends.
The Custom House Maritime Museum participates in the Blue Star Museums program, which offers free admission to active duty military personnel and their immediate families all year.
Learn about > Maritime New London
In June, 2012, NLMS traveled to Boston and the lightship Nantucket.
New London's Harbor Light is the featured lighthouse for Connecticut in the 2013 United States Postal Service's
New England Coastal Lighthouses series.
The stamp was issued on Saturday, July 13, 2013.
That's us, far right, above! See photos of ceremony, below.
OPEN: Tuesday through Sunday, 1 to 5 PM, Admission $5.
150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320 - 860-447-2501
Left: Thanks to Katie Bradford, Custom Marine Canvas, and the crew at The Real McCoy RUM, we're got our new tent! The design is by Katie, the fabric donated by Safety Components, and our supporters turned out to raise the $ to stitch it up!
WHAT'S UP at the CUSTOM HOUSE ?
Silhouette artist Deborah O'Connor was at the museum on Sunday, April 28.
We are pleased to announce ownership of Race Rock Light was conveyed from the federal government to the New London Maritime Society on Thursday, June 27, 2013.
Artist J H Torrance Downes, Eva & John Henry, brought the original drawing for Connecticut's Preserve The Sound license plate to add to our exhibition.
Irene Rissi's string students performed at the Custom House June 7.
On Thursday, June 27, the GSA conveyed ownership of Race Rock Light from the US federal government to the New London Maritime Society. NLMS thanks the GSA/NPS for their confidence in us; we also thank the people who helped with the Race Rock application by writing letters of support, and the many members, volunteers, & donors who help us, everyday, to maintain our vision.
The Ferguson Museum made the lighthouse a cake!
Saturday, July 13, we just had one event (above) -- but it was spectacular!
The United States Postal Service unveiled the (click>) Forever stamp featuring New London Harbor Light.
We had a USCG Honor Guard, the New London Community Orchestra String Ensemble performed the National Anthem, Tom Callinan performed a new song about the lighthouse, our speakers included Senator Anderea Stillman, Mayor Darryl Justin FInizio, Rear Admiral Sandra Stotz, Rick Uluski and Joseph Mazzola of the USPS, and Quincy Vagell of WTNH-TV Storm Team. Philatelist Alan Bentz created three first-day cachets. They all sold out, but we're still taking orders. The place was packed! NLMS Trustees then handed out our newsletter & sold BIG buttons during SailFest.
Thank you all for your enthusiastic support of our Lighthouse Saturdays.
Yes, we wielded swords (the better to cut the lighthouse cakes!) & the Gala was gorgeous (above)!
Thanks to everyone who attended, to Dave Sugrue, who provided the splendid venue at Ocean Beach Park & to the gracious Port 'N Starboard staff; to Tom Callinan, who sang his ballad to NL Harbor Light; to the smooth Venlo Odom trio featuring Lorain Ohio Simister; & to super-great volunteer Rachel Perry, who arranged for all the lighthouse cakes.
Prof. Steven Jones holds forth at our Real McCoy Rum Tasting..
NLMS visits the Lightship Nantucket in Boston.
The Celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Frank L. McGuire Maritime Research Library on Saturday June 15, with author Verlyn Klinkenborg, was a great event at the museum. Be sure to see our new exhibition of treasures from the McGuire Library, curated by librarian Brian Rogers.
Sponsors of Lighthouse Saturdays & the Lighthouse Fund include: The Chester Kitchings Family Foundation, Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Veolia Water / New London Water Authority, Hefel Masonry LLC, Captain Scott's Lobster Dock, Ocean Beach Park, The Big House B&B, Cristifori Foundation, CTrides, New England Regional Council of Carpenters, Stone Masons Union, John Mock, Dave Fallon, Fishers Island Ferry, Cross Sound Ferry, Dominion Foundation, and the Eschenfelder Family.
Mark Munro - Phyllis: A Shipwreck in Fishers Island Sound
On June 7th 2007, a unknown shipwreck was discovered in Fishers Island Sound. In an effort to discover its true identity a dedicated group of divers and shipwreck enthusiasts undertook five years of research and invested hundreds of hours on the bottom trying to reveal her secret. The solution of the mystery and the uncovering of the true identity of the shipwreck ultimately became a community effort. Research doesn't end after merely identifying a shipwreck. In an effort to broaden this wreck's story, genealogical research was undertaken, the granddaughter of the Master and owner was located and contacted, and the important human element of the story was brought to light. This exhibit will acquaint you with the shipwreck of the Phyllis (AKA: Three's a Charm) through video of the shipwreck, recovered artifacts, side scan sonar images and photographs, and period newspaper articles. This event is free & open to the public!
Happy birthday to us, & thank you to The Cake Lady.
We love the new buoys! Thank you to NLMS trustee Jennifer Hillhouse, who tirelessly led the buoy project!
Above: Images from the summer.
left: Sunday, September 29, was our 2nd free
Open House Day at Pequot Light.
The weather was spectacular and we all had a great time. If you missed it, we'll do it again next June!
Please donate to our Annual Fund!
The New London Maritime Society works year-round to bring our maritime heritage to life! And, once every year, we reach out and ask for your support.
We are your local, independent, community museum -- a cultural anchor in downtown New London and a leading preservation force. By contributing to the Society's Annual Fund, you provide the essential day-to-day support that enables us to preserve and present New London's maritime heritage. What's up for 2014? It's our Year of Long Island Sound, when we will explore developing a network to link everything along the shoreline: lighthouses, special events, boating trips, history!
Please take a moment to make a 100% tax deductible donation to the New London Maritime Society. The New London Maritime Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, tax ID #06-10866688.
Many thanks for your support, and best wishes for the Holidays,
George Sprecace, President/Board Chairman
Susan Tamulevich, Executive Director
NLMS TRUSTEES: George Sprecace, M.D., J.D., President/Board Chairman, Robert A. Pittaway, Vice President , Alma Peterson, Secretary, Alan Lyon,, Treasurer, Benjamin Martin, AIA, President Emeritas, G. Roger Clements, RADM A.M. Danielsen, John Desjardins, Josephine Esposito, James Fleishell, Josephine Gangitano, Marcia Gipstein, Todd Gipstein, Robert Groves, Margaret Hauschild, Jennifer Hillhouse, Ken Holloway, Harrison Lea Jewitt, William H. LaRoue, Ph.D., Carolyn Leuze, Morgan McGinley, Peggy Peters, James Reyburn
HONORARY TRUSTEES: Vincentia Belbruno, David Bishop, Lonnie Braxton II, Esq., Fred Calabretta, Nicholas DeGange, Russell DeMarco,Elizabeth Enders, Nick Hanke,Alice Houston, Kathleen Jacey. James C. McGuire, Esq., Frank Racette, Richard Salews, Sarah Steffian, Robert Stewart, Greg Stone, James Streeter, George C. White.
Museum Director - Susan Tamulevich, Head Docent - William LaRoue, Librarian - Brian Rogers, Laurie Deredita, asistant
Custom House Maritime Museum
New London Maritime Society
150 Bank Street
New London, CT 06320
860-447-2501
The NLMS Holiday Volunteer Lunch is Friday 12/13 at 12 noon!
