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,Nick Korstad, 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
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-operating custom house in the country. The building has been the museum's home since 1983.
Search our library collection online HERE
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NLMS is in the NEWS Read about us HERE
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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Volunteer at the Custom House - we need you!
Seafood WATCH - What seafood to buy now.
FISHWATCH The nation's database on sustainable seafood
For all events going on in the region, visit the
Our MUSEUM SHOP offers all kinds of unique gifts. See what's NEW.
Our gifts have an extra feel good factor: when you shop with us, your purchases support the museum exhibitions & educational programs.
What's new in the MUSEUM SHOP?
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.
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Our rooftop New London HarborCam is now live with over 1.7 million views since July 10, 2019! 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
$7 Admission; $5 Children age 7 to 14; Free for NLMS members, New London students & their families (with local ID), 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.
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. Book a tour for one small Covid pod of up-to four people.
The Custom House is open Wednesdays through Sunday, from 1 to 5 PM! Now through Labor Day, kids with one adult may visit the Custom House for free!
We practice COVID-19 safety.
Read more in the CT Examiner.
■ JIBBOOM CLUB #1, meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Sponsored by the Maco Family Fund, the gatherings are FREE and open to all. Upcoming dates are July 20 - Brian Rogers, Bringing the Ships to New London: a history of the New London State Pier, August 17 - John Henshaw, executive director of the CT Port Authority, September 21.
■ Open Mic, meets the 4th Sunday of the month, 7-9 PM. July 25, August 22, September 26. By donation.
■ Custom House Soirée, with pianist Aymeric Dupré la Tour, two seatings -- at 6:30 and 8 PM. August 4 hear
Home Grown Composers (featuring a work by Wesleyan’s Neeley Bruce). September 1’s program will
explore the piano traditions of Central and South America. Themed drinks & desserts accompany
each performance. $35. $30 NLMS members. https://chsoiree.bpt.me/
■ August 2 and 30, Mondays,9 AM-6 PM. Boat Tour to Fishers Island & the Henry L. Ferguson Museum, Take
our excursion to Fishers Island to view the 2021 exhibitions ‘Fishers Island, Naturally’, curated by Pierce Rafferty,
iNaturalist photographic observations taken by Fishers Islanders & curated by educator and naturalist Murray
Fisher, and ‘A Closer Look: Photographs by Todd McCormack’. A light lunch will be provided. We’re taking the
Fishers Island Ferry from New London. $75, $65 NLMS members https://fi2021.bpt.me
■ August 16, Monday, 5-8PM. Boat trip to visit inside Ledge Lighthouse. https://ledgelight2021.bpt.me.
ZOOM recordings
The US Lighthouse Service and Women Lighthouse Keepers, Illustrated Lecture with historian Mary Rasa,hosted by the Henry L. Ferguson Museum in partnership with the New London Maritime Society – Custom House Maritime Museum, March 28.2021.
SHIPWRECKED, Coastal Disasters and the Making of The American Beach,with author Jamin Wells. Hosted by Pierce Rafferty, director Henry L. Ferguson Museum in partnership with the New London Maritime Society – Custom House Maritime Museum, Susan Tamulevich, executive director. January 31, 2021
We Stand With Black Lives Matter
New London Maritime Society stands with others for equity and justice, and in denouncing racism, intolerance, and exclusion. We will pursue cultural consciousness throughout our organization through substantive learning and transparent policies. We will dismantle any inequities within our policies, programs, and services; and we will commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our board, staff, and advisory bodies.
The Custom House Maritime Museum strives to be a place where the entire community can learn from our shared history in order to build a more just & compassionate future.
NLMS acknowledges that the land, Nameeg, meaning fishing place, is the territory of the Western Nehântick, Mohegan, and Pequot, who have stewarded this land for generations. We thank them for their strength and resilience in protecting this land and its waterways, and aspire to do better to uphold our responsibilities according to their example.
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
Vintage Dive Helmets
from two private collections: Jay Kane and Ed Uditis
View Online Exhibitions
of New London Maritime History
local friendly authentic
Marcus Milukas
Northeast Aerial Imaging
Explore Ledge Lighthouse
Boat Tour & Visit Inside the Beacon August 16, 4:30 PM
Explore one of the region's favorite lighthouses.
Land by boat at New London Ledge Light and tour inside the lighthouse -- all the way up to the lantern. On the way out, see and learn the stories of several of our other area lighthouses. We return as the sun sets.
This may be New London Maritime Society's only tour to Ledge Lighthouse this summer, and it is the first since 2019 -- so don't miss it! We're taking the Black Hawk out of Niantic. The 3+-hour excursion leaves from 11 Main St, Niantic, CT 06357. Tickets are $75, $65 for NLMS members, & $50 for children ages 7 to 18.
Tickets can be purchased here!
In everything we do, we work to support our community.
In 1983 NLMS was formed by citizens who who stopped an impending federal sale and kept NL's US Custom House intact & accessible. That's still who we are.
We believe in preserving our community's historic maritime structures. We believe in defending access to our local landmarks. We believe in free museum admission for New London students & their families!
Today we run a local maritime history museum, provide a free education program in NL Public Schools, and preserve three lighthouses.
We thank Tamara Singer, shown here with son Brodie and John Haskell, for the generous donation of five models made by her father Edward Singer. They arrived today -- May 28,2021.
Wine Tasting at the Lighthouse Inn, & Silent Auction
Friday, September 3, 5:30-8 PM.
Join us to relaunch New London’s newly renovated Inn,
which was closed for over a decade. Salute its devoted
champions Alwyn Christy and Ned Hammond.
Ed Cramer of Gordon’s Yellow Front Wines and Liquors
presents the wine tasting as a fundraiser for New London
Maritime Society. https://lighthouseinn.bpt.me/
