2013-Lighthouse-Saturdays

The New London Maritime Society, too, appreciates lighthouses as beacons of hope, and is pleased to share this event with the newly-reconstituted Amistad America, under the leadership of Hanifa Washington, and working in partnership with Love 146, an organization dedicated to ending child trafficking and exploitation. Call 860-447-2501 & reserve a ticket.

Our friends Amistad America and Love 146 will be at the Custom House Pier on July 6.

The ship will be open from noon to 4 pm for dockside visits.

Stop by & learn about their new mission. FREE.

schedule continues, below.

Pianist Martin Berkofsky lived in a lighthouse in Finland for two years.

He writes: the symbolism of lighthouses: built by men to care and protect others-to protect and to save lives...what a powerful symbol and what a spectacular, powerful, and moving influence this had upon me and my music those unforgettable two years!

Buy an I'm Part of Something BIG button for $10 at the Custom House and receive discounts on services and purchases at participating establishments in downtown New London.

Offers are good for 10 Lighthouse Saturdays, only.

Just added: $5 off Lighthouse GALA ticket July 25

$5 off John Mock From the Shoreline concert August 3

Sweetie's Bakery & Cafe

Free cookie with sandwich or wrap

Mambo Bar and Restaurant

10% off total meal order1

Northern Light Jewelry

50% Whale tail jewelry

Monte Cristo Bookshop

Studio 33 Gallery

10% off Lighthouse themed items

Pinc!

10% off one full price item

Flavours of Life

$10 off a purchase of $50 or more

New London Ink Tattoo

20% off tattoos by Artist Johnny Rivero (appt. and consultation necessary)

Daniel's Dairy Downtown

10% off Soft Serve or Fudge

Caruso Pianos

$50 off any Piano Purchase

New London Maritime Society MUSEUM SHOP

10% off your purchase (members get an additional 10% discount!)

UPDATED - 12 noon to 4 PM

The Freedom Schooner Amistad will be at the Custom House Pier - FREE and open to the public. & Come to the Custom House at 10 AM and hear about their new mission, in partnership with Love 146.

Musician John Mock will perform at the Custom House on Saturday, August 3, at 5 PM. $25 donation, NLMS members $20. Call 860-447-2501 to reserve your ticket.

Renowned musician and photographer John Mock will present his unique multimedia maritime concert presentation “From The Shoreline” at the Custom House Maritime Museum in New London, CT, on August 3, at 5:00pm. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for members of the New London Maritime Society.

Although he is now an internationally touring musician, John Mock is a native of the New London area – his father was in the Coast Guard stationed in New London – and it has always remained close to his heart. “Growing up I remember two ships in particular; the Coast Guard Eagle, and the Mystic Isle. When my father would go to the Coast Guard Chief’s club or PX (at the Academy), he would take me and my brother along and drop us off at the Eagle, where we would pretend to be pirates on the ship for the afternoon. After my father retired from the Coast Guard he worked as a mate on the Mystic Isle, the Fisher’s Island ferry out of New London, and he would often take my brother and I to work with him,” remembers John.

John’s art and music are now centered around memories like these and is inspired by the Atlantic coast and the ocean.

From New England to Chincoteague to Ireland, the Atlantic’s beautiful coastline and quaint villages, its wooden boats and whitewashed lighthouses, continue to inspire and inform John’s art. He captures in music and in photographs the heritage of the sea. He shares this heritage with audiences everywhere through his elegant and unique concert presentation From the Shoreline, where John performs original instrumental compositions on the guitar, concertina, and tin whistle. John’s own photography is projected onto a screen behind him, and his casual narration and storytelling tie it all together. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Director of Education, Robert Forloney, commented that "John's process of tying photographs of unique places along with original music is simply phenomenal. Through sound and image, he is able to create encompassing atmospheres that capture these special landscapes and stories. Whatever your age may be, a concert of John's is a wonderful experience." John’s CDs The Day At Sea and The Keeper’s Companion can be found in many of America's maritime museum shops and his concerts have been presented at a diverse array of venues including the keeper’s house at Atlantic City’s Absecon Light, the famed Guthrie Center in Massachusetts, and museums and performing arts series on both coasts.

John’s work has taken him around the world. Widely sought after as a composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist, he has worked with such notable artists as the Dixie Chicks, James Taylor, Nanci Griffith, Maura O’Connell, Sylvia, Kathy Mattea and Mark O’Connor. His orchestral arrangements have been performed by orchestras throughout America and abroad, including the London Symphony, the National Symphony and the symphonies of Atlanta and Nashville. John’s credits as composer and featured artist include performances with the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Ireland, and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, as well as solo performances throughout the country.

Saturday, August 10

Nimble Arts Circus

Make a full family day of it in downtown New London on Saturday, August 10, when we join with the City of New London to present the renowned Nimble Arts Summer Circus, free of charge, on New London's Waterfront Park, with FREE performances at 4 and 6:30 PM.This event is sponsored, in part, with a grant from Veolia Water / the New London Water Authority.

Back for a 4th year, this small circus troupe was the sensational hit of last summer's events. Smart, funny, sophisticated, Nimble Arts will surprise you with their internationally award-winning circus arts: trapeze, juggling, comedy, acrobatics. Prepare to be amazed!

Added this year is the opportunity to attend a juggling workshop taught by circus artists. The workshop takes place Saturday, July 30, just prior to the first performance, from 2-3 PM, for a fee of only $15, all materials provided. Space is limited. Call 860-447-2501 to register.

The 2013 United States Postal Service's New England Coastal Lighthouses Forever stamp series will be released on Saturday, July 13, 2013, and New London's Harbor Light is the featured lighthouse for Connecticut. There will be five simultaneous events at coastal lighthouses from New London, CT, to Portland, ME.

The New London event will take place beneath the new courtyard tent at the Custom House Maritime Museum. The Lighthouse is owned by the New London Maritime Society, which operates the Custom House. The event coincides with the City's annual SailFest celebration.

First-Day-of Sale stamp events usually attract 100 or more interested stamp collectors, elected officials, lighthouse lovers, curious onlookers and local news media. In addition to the USPS ceremony and speakers, Stonington philatelist Alan Bentz has created a special first-day cover for the New London launch. This cover may be purchased and canceled with a special stamp both at the Custom House event and at the New London Post Office. The covers will sell for $5 each and three different designs will be available.

Sentinels of the Coastline, Reminders of Romance is the USPS series of stamps featuring lighthouses from throughout the country. Artist Howard Koslow has worked since 1990 to render each regional Lighthouses series issuance with detailed accuracy. The last series of lighthouse stamps, Gulf Coast Lighthouses, was released in 2009.

From the USPS website:

There's something about lighthouses. They fascinate us; they enchant us; they draw us in. Utilitarian yet majestic, these structures achieve a beauty and romance that reach far beyond their practical natures. Recognizing our love affair with these lonely sentinels, the U.S. Postal Service has released a series of stamps celebrating our nation's lighthouses.

New England Coastal Lighthouses features the lighthouses at Portland Head, Maine; Portsmouth Harbor, New Hampshire; Point Judith, Rhode Island; New London Harbor, Connecticut; and Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. Each stamp shows a close-up view of one of the five lighthouses that captures not only the down-to-earth aspect of the tower but also the mysterious qualities that compel us to come closer.

These five lighthouses are among the oldest in the U.S., and each is on the National Register of Historic Places. Boston Harbor Light is also a National Historic Landmark.

Howard Koslow created original paintings for New England Coastal Lighthouses stamp art-and for the entire lighthouse series. Howard E. Paine and Greg Breeding served as art directors.

The New England Coastal Lighthouses stamps are being issued as Forever® stamps. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

There are Five Boat trips every Saturday (except July 13 - SailFest). Sign up now.

Six passengers, only, per trip. Tickets are $35 for adults,$25 children age 14 and younger.

All proceeds, beyond boat costs, go to the Lighthouse Restoration Fund.

Boat trips to Pequot (New London Harbor) Light - Saturdays at 11 AM, 1, and 3 PM.

Cruise by the lighthouse then drive to the lighthouse & climb 119 steps up to the lantern.

'Three Sisters' Lighthouse tours - Saturdays at 12 noon, and 2 PM.

Sit back and cruise by New London's three harbor lighthouses: NL Harbor, Ledge and Avery Point Lights.

To make boat tour reservations, please call 860-912-6814, or or email [email protected]. Payment will be accepted over the phone or through Paypal. (Please be sure to specify which tour you would like to book.) Cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance.

There will be three special two-hour excursions to New London Ledge Light on July 20, August 17, and September 7, 2013. Visit the lighthouse, climb up to the lantern, and see the lighthouse history display, new and improved for 2013! Meet at the Custom House; the boat leaves at 4 PM. Call 860-445-9007 for reservations. Tickets Adults $25, Children ages 6 to 12 $20.

CLICK> 'Be a Part of Something BIG' made it on TV.

Sold Out!

FILLED.

Meet at the Custom House 15 minutes before departure: 150 Bank Street.

Reservations may be cancelled up-to 24 hours in advance of your trip.

We're having a party!

Thursday, July 25, 6 to 8 PM.

I'm Part of Something BIG Gala

Port N' Starboard, Ocean Beach Park. Chowda', cakes, music -- come on!

It's a fund-raiser to restore New London Harbor Light.

We'll honor our donors and have some fun!

Donation $35.

We know you're coming, but need confirmation that you'll be there.

Please call 860-447-2501 by July 22.

Some things are worth preserving...

All boat trips

Sold Out for

July 20!

August 15: We still have four Lighthouse Saturdays to go! Come to downtown New London: relax on a boat, enjoy an event, stay on for dinner. Lighthouse Saturday boat trips tend to fill by the previous Wednesday. Be sure to make your reservations early in the week.

Left: the new Race Rock Light exhibition at the Henry L. Ferguson Museum on Fishers Island, curated by Pierce Rafferty.

This exhibition is on view through June 2014; you may visit it by taking the FI Ferry off the NL waterfront & walking the 1+ mile to the museum. Or you can take our trip & be met with a bus & lunch at the Pequot Inn!

Saturday, August 17, 4 PM

Author and Distinguished Professor of Atlantic History at the University of Pittsburgh Marcus Rediker visits the Custom House to discuss his newest publication, The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom, with an emphasis on details of the captives' stay in Connecticut. This is the first book in more than 20 years to recount the most famous slave rebellion in American history, and the story is told for the first time ever from the slaves' point of view. The talk will take place on Saturday, August 17 at 4 PM at the Custom House Maritime Museum. Reservations are required; call 860-447-2501. Member & students with a current ID $8, all others $12.

Marcus Rediker has written, co-written, or edited seven books, and his award-winning book The Slave Ship was called "masterly" by The New York Times Book Review and "searingly brilliant" by The Los Angeles Times. Meet this notable author and hear more about this historical event told by one of the most acclaimed authors in his field while enjoying a wine and cheese reception. Copies of Amistad are available for purchase at the event and prior to the talk in the Museum Shop.

Just added to the schedule

Author and Distinguished Professor of Atlantic History at the University of Pittsburgh Marcus Rediker discusses his newest publication,

The Amistad Rebellion: An Atlantic Odyssey of Slavery and Freedom, with an emphasis on details of the captives' stay in Connecticut. This is the first book in more than 20 years to recount the most famous slave rebellion in American history, and the story is told for the first time ever from the slaves' point of view. The talk will take place on Saturday, August 17 at 4 PM at the Custom House Museum.

Reservations are required; call 860-447-2501.

Members & students with a current ID- $8, all others $12.

5 PM: Historian Marcus Rediker on the Amistad (see above).

Yes, we wielded swords (the better to cut the lighthouse cakes!) & the Gala, on July 25, 2013, 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.

Special 2 1/2-Hour Lighthouse Cruise

Tuesday, August 20, 11:30 AM

Join us aboard the renowned Sunbeam Fleet for a 2 1/2-hour narrated tour of the area's lighthouses, with lunch.

The boat leaves from New London's Custom House Pier. We see at least seven area lights.

Space is limited. Fee $75.

Call 860-447-2501 to make your reservation.

Saturday, August 3, 2013: Make a day of it!

Renowned musician and photographer John Mock, (left) returns to the Custom House to present his unique multimedia maritime concert presentation From The Shoreline, on August 3, at 5 pm.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for NLMS members and BIG button holders.

Please call 860-447-2501 to reserve your tickets, as space is limited to 45.

Come to the New London Waterfront next Saturday, August 3:

relax on a boat tour,

watch the New London Currach Rowers' Irish Rowing Regatta off Fort Trumbull 12:30 to 5 PM,

enjoy a free performance by the USCG Dixiland Jazz Band on Waterfront Park at 3,

take advantage of special offers from merchants downtown all day with your BIG button,

attend John Mock's On the Shoreline at the Custom House at 5, then stay downtown for dinner.

Make a full family afternoon of it in downtown New London on Saturday, August 10, when the City of New London, Downtown New London Association, & New London Maritime Society present the renowned Nimble Arts Summer Circus, on New London's Waterfront Park - City Pier, with FREE performances at 4 and 6:30 PM. Bring your chairs or a blanket to sit on.

Again this year is the opportunity to attend a JUGGLING WORKSHOP taught by circus artists. The workshop takes place Saturday, August 10, just prior to the first performance, from 2-3 PM, for a fee of only $15, all materials provided. All ages welcome. Space is limited. It's fun!

Call 860-447-2501 to register.

All Three Sisters

and Pequot Light

boat trips

Sold Out for

August 17!

SOLD OUT

Don't forget to purchase your USPS lighthouse stamps before they're all gone!