New London's CDBG committee visited the Custom House today. Here, above, they look up at water damage to the main-floor gallery ceiling. from left, Naomi McClure, William Vogel, Patricia Zalesny, Kathleen Kanouff and Lori Barberi. 

Most
everyone was here for the first time. They reviewed the result of past CDBG grants -- such as the the access ramp to the museum's lower level. And they had a close-up look at  problems recent CDBG grants will address. Two recent CDBG grants, matched by the CT Trust for Historic Preservation, currently are funding our architect's study and construction dreawing to replace the Custom House roof.
A 2017 grant will partially fund opening up a window in the Archie Chester Ship Model Gallery / Reading Room.
Last weekend was our first MARITIME MARKET at SailFest. Above, upper right: a visitor tries to dress like a diver!  Thank you, again, to everyone who supported our event. 
 

The Custom House Maritime Museum is now open Wednesday through Sunday, from 1 to 5 PM. 
What's Up at the Custom House  - July 16, 2017
New London Maritime Society - telling the stories of New London's waterfront & preserving four historic maritime sites.
Monday, July 24, 6 PM.
NLMS members $10, all others $12. Space is limited. Call 860-447-2501 for reservations.

David Zapatka spent ten years shooting local news in the Providence market until he began his long career as a network freelance cameraman and director of photography. His work regularly appears on network news and sports programs working for ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, HBO, and CNN. David also teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design.
In October 2103 he began what has become the "Stars & Lights" lighthouse project, which is now on view at the Custom House Maritime Museum. He continues to photograph lighthouses under the stars and at the beginning of 2016 had captured more than sixty-five throughout the Northeast.

The Stars and Lights gallery can be seen at www.starsandlighthouses.com
Excursions to Fishers Island to see the 'Photographers of Fishers Island, Part One, 1880s to 1930s' exhibition
Two trips: July 22, Saturday, and August 10, Thursday.


Join one of our two excursions to Fishers Island to view the new 'Photographers of Fishers Island, Part One, 1880s to 1930s' exhibition, curated by Pierce Rafferty, at the Henry L. Ferguson Museum. A light lunch is provided. This years exhibition celebrates the work of the first photographers of Fishers Island. Some were professional, some amateur, but together they provide a multi-faceted portrait of all aspects of island life.

We're taking the Fishers Island Ferry from New London.
Times listed will be adjusted to the ferry timetable. Trips leave from the Fishers Island ferry terminal on the New London waterfront, within steps of the NL Amtrak station. Each trip is limited to 12 attendees. $60.
 
On view at the Custom House Maritime Museum

Stars & Lighthouses - Long Island Sound, by David Zapatka 
Lighthouses of Long Island Sound at Night

Lighthouses, Tall Ships, and Submarines: Maritime Photos from The Day's Photojournalists, by Tim Cook, Sean Elliot, Dana Jensen, and
Tim Martin 
 
both photography exhibitions have been extended through the SUMMER
 
Save the date: Nimble Arts Circus returns to New London - cosponsored by NLMS (Veolia Water grant), with the City of New London.  It takes place Sunday, August 6, with free performances at 4 & 6:30 PM on Parade Plaza.

Nimble Arts will offer a Juggling Workshop, too!  
Learn to juggle with real circus clowns!  $15. Sign up: brownpapertickets.com/event/3044684  

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Next week the Connecticut State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will be holding four public meetings to seek input, information, and advice for the Comprehensive Statewide Historic Preservation Plan.   The Plan will be an intensive level planning document addressing the treatment of the historic and cultural resources across the state. It will serve as a guide for planning and decision making by the SHPO, Towns, agencies, non-profit organizations, and others who may affect these resources.
Wednesday: City Council Chambers, 181 State Street, New London July 19, 7:00-9:00 P.M.
Click here to register: eventbrite.com/e/shpo-strategic-plan-public-meetings-tickets-35455716001 

This Wednesday also is our annual trip to PLUM ISLAND! (This event is SOLD OUT.) 

Facebook New London Maritime Society to learn about issues related to our mission of preservation & conservation .We also post community news and conservation / preservation articles. 

Cust om House Maritime Museum is on Facebook. 'Like' us to keep up with our events, & school visits, as well as with news of interest about museums.
Many moons ago we met David Spinelli, left -- he got married at the Custom House back in 2010! Since then he & wife Leslie moved to Indonesia -- and now, to China, and they've had a baby, Jocamo, who already is one year old! We thank David for generously donating this lovely wood & cane sofa to the New London Maritime Society. Rob Groves, right, drove the truck to pick it up. It looks just right in the upper hall gallery,  beneath the window looking out to Bank Street.
 
Facebook New London Harbor Light  reports the latest on NL Harbor 'Pequot' Light and about American lighthouse preservation activities.  

Find your lighthouse is a facebook page for world-wide lighthouse events & news.

Left, Edward Gladue, of Ledyard, stopped in at the Custom House and shared memories of working with the USCG to maintain the buoys and lighthouses from Watch Hill to NYC. He worked out of the Custom House and off the Custom House Pier.

Facebook the LL Foundation (friends group) to learn about Ledge Light.  Learn about visiting the light here: brownpapertickets.com/event/2917400
Right, We were the first stop for CT Landmarks' summer program for high schoolers interested in museum studies. Jana and friends spent two hours at the museum on Wednesday hearing all about the good and the bad of non-profit museum life. Here students examine customs documents. 

Facebook  Lighthouses of Long Island Sound Gateway to learn what other
lighthouses on the Sound are up to this summer.  
 
Facebook Custom House MUSEUM SHOP to s ee what's new.

Facebook Race Rock Lighthouse   posts news concerning Race Rock Light and international lighthouse tourism and preservation efforts. This week's video is very popular - see for yourself.
     
Facebook Sentinels of the Sound to learn about our latest Summer Programs and to read news on Connecticut tourism.


Volunteers - we'd be sunk without them.

Below, It just became apparent on Thursday that we had both our oldest -- as in longest -- volunteer as well as
our newest -- most recent -- volunteer.
So everyone lined up and, from left, we have Rob who was here from the start with Lucile in 1983; Russ, who came on the day the museum first opened its doors; Bill, who started in soon thereafter around 1985; Jerry, who began as a docent in 2012; and Alec, who started volunteering TODAY! In fact, at least half of our volunteers and trustees are women (see below). But that was not the case today. Missing from the photo, but also working at the Custom House on Thursday, was Brian our librarian, who was busy upstairs. 

Friday's crew, below from left: Christina, last year's volunteer-of-the-year; Marie - a new volunteer TODAY!; Ava and Hannah, from Waterford High, who are making a dent in their service-learning hours. Taking the photo was Linda, our volunteer coordinator, who has kept the museum schedule humming for the last several years.
 
Below, on Friday we were out with a charter tour, waiting for the sub to come in.


Have a sparkling day!  

   
 
Your membership matters! Join NLMS today.  
NLMS - nicely nautical
New London Maritime Society | 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320 | 860-447-2501
nl maritimesociety.org