Saturday., September 14
Take our excursion to Fishers Island to view the 2019 exhibitions 'Against the Tide: Prohibition on Land and at Sea, 1919-1933', and 'The English Springer Spaniel on Fishers Island', both curated by Pierce Rafferty, at the Henry L.Ferguson Museum. A light lunch will be provided.
We thank our Friends and Sponsors
Anonymous, John Steffian, Jr., The Maco Family Fund, DOCKO, the State of Connecticut, CtHumanties, USLHS, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Chelsea Groton Bank, the City of New London , IMLS, United Rentals, & CDBG
New London Maritime Society (NLMS) CUSTOM HOUSE MARITIME MUSEUM l 150 Bank Street l New London, Connecticut 06320 l 860-447-2501 l email
EXHIBITIONS now on view
Matthew Male - My View from Great Gull Island Photos from the Edge of the Sound
through Spring 2021
AMISTAD: A True Story of Freedom a permanent exhibition at the site of the original Amistad events of 1839.
Kids Ahoy! Tracing the Nautical Influence on Children's Clothing, Toys, and Entertainment
Above, NLMS docent Bill LaRoue with his father dressed in matching USCG uniforms, ca 1945.
from two private collections: Jay Kane and Ed Uditis
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. NL's Custom House opened in 1835. It is the longest continuously-operating custom house in the country. The building has been the museum's home since 1983.
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The Custom House Maritime Museum - your local, independent, community museum - open year-round - telling the stories of New London's waterfront!
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Support NL Maritime Society
Saving our local maritime heritage sites through education, advocacy, & preservation.
New London Maritime Society is a New London-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You may make a donation online (above), or by mail.
At the Maritime Museum, you will discover the enormous effect that the maritime world has on our daily lives.
None of what we do at the Custom House would be possible without your support.
The work of the New London Maritime Society - Custom House Maritime Museum is made possible by generous grants from the City of New London, Community Development Bock Grants, the U.S. Lighthouse Society, Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Community Foundation of Eastern CT, CT Humanities, PPP, & and by the work of dedicated volunteers, members & friends.
New London Maritime History
Our rooftop New London HarborCam is now live with over 1.3 million views since July 10, 2019! Watch the full year here. Many thanks to our anonymous donor for this exciting transformative gift.
New London Maritime Society - open year-round
your local, independent, community museum,
telling the stories of New London's waterfront.
150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320
Hours: Wednesday-- Sunday, 1 to 5 PM and
from 9 AM-1 PM for school groups and 'by request',
Contact: 860.447.2501 email
$7 Admission; Free for NLMS members, children age 14 and younger, USCG cadets, active-duty military & their families. If you require accommodations due to a disability please email us to discuss your needs. The request should be provided with enough time to reasonably set up the accommodation.
Last year we celebrated 12 years of NLMS's partnership with the New London Public Schools. First with Lighthouse Kids and now with our third-grade Local History & Landmarks program, we bring New London's 300+ third graders to visit up-to six local historic sites throughout the school year.
Jody Barthel developed the program, which is now taught by Christina Corcoran. We provide the transportation and support, and our venue partners provide admission and the site educators. Here we are, above, in February 2020 at the Custom House Maritime Museum with author Mark Seth Lender.
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.-James Baldwin
The Custom House Maritime Museum strives to be a place where the community can learn from our shared history in order to build a more just & compassionate future.
The Custom House Maritime Museum is an NPS Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site.
NLMS director Susan Tamulevich was part of a Community Reading of Frederick Douglass' speech "What to a Slave is the Fourth of July" with the National Park Service on July 4, 2020.
Although we're closed for now, we regularly check in.
Above, in November 2020, a magnificent 1812 fortepiano was donated to NL Maritime Society by Mary G. Keith and Frederick W. Keith, Jr., of Ledyard, Connecticut.
We promise concerts in 2021.
Visit inside New London Harbor Lighthouse. We give tours year-round.
Meet at the lighthouse, then climb 116 steps to the lantern room -- all the while learning about the 260-year history of Harbor Light, one of the oldest lighthouses in the country, and the tallest on Long Island Sound. The views at the top are spectacular!
The visit takes around 45 minutes. Everyone uses hand sanitizer and we all wear masks. Tours for one small Covid pod of up-to four people may be arranged by emailing [email protected]
Suggested donations are $35 for adults, $30 for NLMS members, & $25 for youth 7-to-18 years old.
2020 has been a difficult year for us all.
The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains our highest priority. Although our doors are closed, there's plenty to discover online. Please explore the links, below.