The program encourages those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits to visit the Museum for free. There is no limit to how many times a person can visit, and the free admission is good for up to four people per visit with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
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.
To quote Joseph Pierce: A land acknowledgment is not enough. The land exists regardless of settler acknowledgment, which can only ever be the first step toward meaningful action. Next steps involve building relationships with that land as if it were your kin. Because it is.
Our monthly OpenMic welcomes performers of all kinds. Share your original music, poetry, prose, stand-up, or just say what is on your mind. Bring your bongos. Perform, join in, or just enjoy. Admission by donation.
Marcus Milukas
Northeast Aerial Imaging
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
Chelsea Groton Foundation - Community Foundation of Eastern CT - CT Humanities - CT Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts - Eleven+ - Frank Loomis Palmer Fund - Maco Family Fund - Robinson+Cole - State of CT - Veolia / NL Water Authority.
New London Maritime Society (NLMS) CUSTOM HOUSE MARITIME MUSEUM l 150 Bank Street l New London, Connecticut 06320 l 860-447-2501 l email
London
A history of the Customs
service and its influence on
the Port of New London,
Connecticut
The
museum's most
important artifact may well
be the building, itself.
Built
in 1833 as New London's
U.S Custom House, designed
by architect Robert Mills.
NL's Custom House
opened in 1835. 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!
WHAT'S UP at the CUSTOM HOUSE ?
EVENTS
SUPPORT US
Keep in Touch
Read our 2023 SUMMER Newsletter
Volunteer at the Custom House - we need you!
Seafood WATCH - What seafood to buy now.
FISHWATCH Database on sustainable seafood
For all events going on in the region, visit the
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.
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
General admission $7. Children to age 18 - free!
Free for NLMS members, New London students & their families (with local ID), USCG cadets, active-duty military & their families, visitors with SNAP EBT card. 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.
SUMMER HOURS are Wednesday & Friday from 1 to 5 PM, Thurs. 1 to 11 PM; Sat, 10AM to 5 PM; Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM.
RECORDINGS
Dive exploration at Race Rock Light, August 2023, Andy Champagne and Kennedy Marine.
The History of Race Rock Lighthouse This video
directed by Marisela La Grave and Pierce Rafferty
chronicles the remarkable story of how a lighthouse came
to be erected in the 1870s on a dangerous submerged
ledge amidst some of the most unpredictable and swiftest
moving tides on the East Coast.
made by her father Wesley Akin Hotchkiss.
Louis & the Gulf Weed. Claudia's family has been on the
water for generations -- both in New London and the French West Indies -- one relative working for the TA Scott Company at the time of the infamous Deutchland submarine incident. The story of the Deutchland.
The US Lighthouse Service and Women Lighthouse Keepers, Illustrated Lecture with historian Mary Rasa. March 28.2021.
SHIPWRECKED, Coastal Disasters and the Making of The American Beach,with author Jamin Wells. January 31, 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
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 the custom house and three lighthouses.
EXHIBITIONS now on view
Our MUSEUM SHOP offers all kinds of unique gifts. We have an extensive selection of books on maritime, local history, Freedom, and lighthouse topics. 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.
We're happy to report that the Museum has joined Museums for All to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits.
Climb to the lantern in New London Harbor Lighthouse!
Meet at the lighthouse, then climb 116 steps to the lantern room -- all the while learning about the 261-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!
Sunday, September 24, 6-9 PM
Open Mic at the Museum
Open Mic meets on the last Sunday of the month at the beautiful Custom House Maritime Museum. Co-hosted by Kenny "Doc" Frazier and Christina Corcoran, our monthly open mic welcomes music, poetry, prose, stand-up or just say what is on your mind. Open to all ages and abilities for fun and camaraderie! Free.
2023 SailFest Special -- New London Maritime Society EXTRA! -- July 7, 2023
For Immediate Release: Lighthouse Summer 2023! -- June 28, 2023
For Immediate Release: NLMS Dedicated to Historic Preservation -- June 27, 2023
Episode 172. Grating the Nutmeg podcast, September 2023: Connecticut Lighthouses: Lifesaving Beacons Along the Shore
The Day, September 3, 2023: To make it safe by day and night, by Carol Sommer, a history of Race Rock Light.
The Day, August 6, 2023: For a safe harbor, by Carol Sommer
a history of New London Harbor Light.
The Day, July 5, 2023: New London Custom House Museum roof continues to deteriorate, by John Penney.
Watch a TV report by Jim Altman on our July 20 visit to Little Gull Island.
RESTORE THE DOOR
a 2023 preservation campaign
Help restore the magnificent iron door at New London Harbor Light. This massive door, installed in 1833, is rusting. The rust is making the door difficult to open, and the iron is starting to spall along the edges. Learn more.
Super Moon rise at Harbor Light, August 31, 2023.
The NL HarborCam is our 24/7 eye on the harbor.
Take a look! We're already had
more than 4,700,000 views!
Watch the HarborCam video of
Tuesday, September 19, 1:30 PM
JIBBOOM CLUB #1
We're bringing back one of our favorite speakers, Pierce Rafferty, director of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum on Fishers Island. This month Pierce Rafferty chronicles the dramatic story of Fishers Island’s most deadly and consequential shipwreck, the wreck of the Steamer Atlantic in November 1846. This tragic wreck caught the attention of the nation, and was commemorated by mournful ballads, popular poems, and two Currier lithographs. The fate of the ship’s legendary bell, and the erection of a lighthouse on nearby North Dumpling, are just two of the side stories also covered in this fascinating tale of woe.
Jibboom is not a 'club' but a friendly gathering of people interested in maritime subjects. Please come and bring a friend. We'll bring refreshments! Sponsored by the Maco Family Fund.
Visit Inside Your Local Lighthouses!
Thanks to a grant from Veolia / the New London Water Authority, tickets for New London public school students and their family members to visit inside Harbor Lighthouse are just $5, each.
