July 4th -- at the Custom House -- June 28, 2020

If you are at all like me, you are still staying home & staying safe...

But we're keeping busy. Members of New London's Naval and Maritime Consortium were given the opportunity to take a virtual tour of the NL Subbase last week (photo, upper right, of a training tank).

On the tour, we learned that the Submarine Museum is staying closed at least until August -- and so are we at the Custom House.

But you can tour New London Harbor Lighthouse! photo: Christina Corcoran

Visit Inside New London Harbor Lighthouse

It's SUMMER & w e've started up tours - by appointment - to New London Harbor Pequot Lighthouse.

The visit takes around 45 minutes.

We use hand sanitizer and we all wear masks .

Wanna go? Tours for two people at a time may be arranged by emailing nlmaritimedirector@gmail.com . Suggested donations are $35 for adults, $30 for NLMS members, and $25 for youth 7-to-18 years old.

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The Custom House Maritime Museum will remain closed for the foreseeable future. At present, visitors may tour by appointment , only, and in groups of four or less. We look forward to welcoming you back.

Custom House Maritime Museum

150 Bank Street, New London, CT, 06320

While we are closed, we are having master plasterer John Marshall back to repair water damaged ceilings at the Custom House.

But first he's doing some work at New London's Lighthouse Inn, above.

John writes: This is what the restored ceiling looks like.

I applied the plaster and repaired it and then the painter put a blue metallic paint on. You can see from the first photo what it looks like with natural light. And in the second photos you see where he turns on the rope light and the yellow light reacts with the blue paint and makes it look purple. It looks like a sunset. It is absolutely gorgeous!

We invite you to join a webinar on July 1, from 11:00 am (eastern) to noon, about participating in International Underground Railroad Month .

What is International Underground Railroad Month?

International Underground Railroad Month acknowledges the significance of the Underground Railroad, and all those involved, for its contribution to the eradication of slavery in the United States and as a cornerstone for a more comprehensive civil rights movement that followed. It honors the inspiring efforts of the people from around the world who have committed themselves to document, interpret, and share with the public the Underground Railroad through the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The Custom House is a Network site.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed the first International Underground Railroad Month in September 2019. The Maryland Office of Tourism, Michigan Freedom Trail, and the Network to Freedom program are working to expand International Underground Railroad Month to multiple states, Canada, and the Caribbean .

Goals for International Underground Railroad Month 2020:

Inspire the public to travel to Underground Railroad Sites to learn the history associated with individual sites and experience the mosaic of community, regional, and national stories of the Underground Railroad.

Make International Underground Railroad Month a yearly event.

2020 goal is to have 7 states and 1 Canadian location participate. In 2021, grow to have 15 states and 3 Canadian locations participating.

To register for the webinar, please sign up here .

A confirmation email with instructions will be emailed to all who register.

What's Up at the Custom House - June 28, 2020

nlmaritimesociety.org

New London Maritime Society - local friendly a uthentic

Telling the stories of New London's waterfront

& preserving four historic maritime sites

New London Maritime Society thanks our Friends & Sponsors

John Steffian, Jr., The Maco Family Fund, DOCKO, the state of Connecticut, Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, CT Humanities, City of New London & CDBG

Be one of the first to explore the freshly revamped and expanded Henry L. Ferguson Museum website , where the virtual doors swung open yesterday on their 2020 Annual Exhibition :

The Coastal Forts of Eastern Long Island Sound:

Abandonment, Ruination and Repurposing

Keep Up with What's Up

Above, the Briney Bank border alongside the Custom House. It's just one year old.

Welcome rain, & welcome July -- Happy 4th!

Rewatch last year's NL fireworks in this video from our NL Harborcam.

“ "What to the Slave is 4th of July?” Listen to

James Earl Jones Read Frederick Douglass’s Historic Speech

Watch NYC's American Museum of Natural History's thoughtful video explaining why their statue of Theodore Roosevelt will be removed.

You have given over $800+ to our 3 for 1 Membership Drive

-- and the online drive is still on!

So far, your donations have provided 32 free family memberships for C0vid-19 essential workers. Thank you!

2020 is the 100th anniversary of women's vote in the US~ learn more with our friend Matt Berger, ( who recommends so many of the articles we post on facebook).

Talk Back with Sheila Horvitz with Guest Attorney Matthew Berger

Keep watch on New London's waterfront 24/7 with our NL HarborCam .

We've had over 853,100 views since the camera was installed in mid July, 2019!

Rain in New London.

Image from Jun 27, 2020 at 4:24 PM, Temp: 69°F, RH: 96.40%, Dew Point: 68 °F

Facebook New London Maritime Society to learn about our community and issues related to preservation & conservation.

Facebook Custom House Maritime Museum to read about our events & exhibitions throughout the world.

Facebook the Custom House MUSEUM SHOP for gifts with an extra feel good factor -- when you shop with us your purchases support our exhibitions, & educational programs.

Facebook New London Harbor Light reports the latest on NL Harbor Pequot Light and about American lighthouse preservation.
Facebook New London Ledge Light to see more of Rick Bonnano's pictures.
Facebook the Ledge Light Foundation to follow ongoing restoration efforts.

Facebook Race Rock Lighthouse We applied for a USLHS grant for RR last week.
Facebook Lighthouses of Long Island Sound Gateway to learn news of other area lighthouses.
Find your lighthouse is a facebook page for world-wide lighthouse events & news.

We're on Instagram! nlmaritime

Below, Visiting Harbor Lighthouse.

150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320 | 860-447-2501

nl maritime society.org

The Custom House Maritime Museum is closed until further notice | 860-447-2501