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
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.
at the CUSTOM HOUSE
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New London Maritime History
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
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.
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.
Suggested donations are $35 for adults, $30 for NLMS members, & $25 for youth 7-to-18 years old. Tours are scheduled for Saturday and Sundays between 10 and noon.
The past year has been difficult 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.
For fastest contact, or call Susan at 203.444.2884.
Below, Bartlebys unleashed: ‘Citizen scriveners’ answer maritime society’s call, by Brian Hallenbeck in The Day, 1.9.21 -- about our whaling journal transcription project.
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
Restored 1814 piano has new home at Custom House Museum
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.
Watch a video by Peter Houppoi of The Day
Published April 10. 2021 10:45PM
By Erica Moser Day staff writer
New London — Almost immediately after Guy Fishman played the last note of the prelude from Bach's Suite No. 1 for unaccompanied cello, the bell of an Amtrak train coming through New London sounded.
This was the small downside to filming a concert at the Custom House Maritime Museum.
The upside was the background and natural light of the second-floor Lucille M. Showalter Lecture Gallery, which is dedicated to the story of the Amistad and has windows facing the Thames River.
The Connecticut Early Music Society began its filming with the solo cello performance, but the raison d'être for the concert — which will be available for viewing as a virtual benefit for $65 — was the 1814 square piano in the middle of the room.
The piano isn't actually square, but has a rectangular case with a shorter keyboard than seen on modern pianos.
It's the fifth and newest one at the Maritime Museum, and the process of finding a permanent home for the piano was a few years in the making.
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