What's up at the Custom House?
A dazzeling Navy wedding took place at the museum on Saturday.
 
 
Friends , volunteers , Jibboomers, colleagues, supporters  -- you are all cordially invited  to come to our annual 
WINTER CELEBRATION on Tuesday, December 18, from 4-6 o'clock.   
 
NB: We're starting at 4pm so our working volunteers may attend!  
 
 
What's Up at the Custom House  -  December 9, 2018
New London Maritime Society - Local  Friendly  Authentic
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, Matt Lynch Water Transit
Frank Loomis Palmer Fund,   Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut  
Veolia Water,   Bodenwien Foundation, The Atlantic Paranormal Society,  & CDBG
 
NLMS Frank McGuire Library 
December 2018 Book of the Month 
 
Cross Sound Ferry Services, Inc. 
CROSS SOUND LIGHTHOUSE CRUISE GUIDE
New London, no date

We end the year with a recent guidebook to the landmarks seen on Cross Sound Ferry's "Lights and Sights" cruises.  The "Lights" include the three sentinels managed by the New London Maritime Society (Harbor Light, Ledge Light, and Race Rock) plus six others:  Avery Point, North Dumpling, Morgan Point, Latimer Reef, Watch Hill, and Little Gull.  The "Sights" include Forts Griswold and Trumbull, and Fort Wright on Fishers Island. Two architectural subjects fill out the itinerary:  the Ocean House at Watch Hill and Simmons "Castle," the turreted stone mansion at the east end of Fishers Island that looks like it had been transplanted from Old Quebec. While the booklet is enhanced by superb photography, its special value lies in well wrought descriptions of the local lights and forts by maritime historian and Navy veteran Ted Webb, drawn from sixteen years of narrating lighthouse tours. Interesting factual information is enlivened by intriguing details, superior photography, and even a map.  Ted grew up around these lights, maintains friendships with many who served on them, and is committed to their preservation.  We are honored that he accepted an invitation last year to join our Board, offering valuable experience and insights to the Society's stewardship of three local lighthouses.                                                          --Brian Rogers, Librarian
We're having a
HOLIDAY
RAFFLE!
 
The odds are terrific!
For 10
more days, only, buy a ticket for $5, (or 4 for $15), for a chance to win this hand-embellished quilt of eastern Long Island Sound and our three lighthouses!   
Tickets are available in the SHOP!   The drawing is Wednesday, December 19.    
You may purchase tickets over the phone with a credit card.  Call 860-447-2501 during regular business hours.  
Thanks to Christina Corcoran, who beautifully embroidered the 3 lighthouses. 
~ Special Go-Fund-Me Match Opportunity ~
Race Rock Lighthouse needs a restoration plan.

This week a generous benefactor came forward with 50% of the cost for an architectural assessment and plan to restore Race Rock Light !  
 
Race Rock Lighthouse turns 140 years old in December.  
 
We are eager to start the restoration . But first we need to have a strategic plan prepared by a preservation architect.  
         
The price for this assessment (+ related costs) comes to $11,000.  
 
Please help us raise the remaining $5,500. Give a birthday present to Race Rock Light today!   We want to have the plan ready so we can get to work next summer.  
 
 
 Please DONATE to this special 'Go Fund Me' campaign.  
     
Questions about donating? Why not g ive Susan a call: 860-447-2501, or 203-444-2884 
New London Maritime Society, 150 Bank Street, New London, CT  06320   
Join us for Holiday Shopping  
 
Above, we've got ornaments!
 
Visit the Custom House MUSEUM SHOP !
 
The MUSEUM SHOP is open Wednesday - Sunday, 1-5 PM,
until 7 PM  Thursday & Friday evenings through December 21.
     
Everyone gets 10% off in December!
NLMS members receive a 20% discount.
 
If you haven't been in lately, you haven't seen the SHOP!     
Do you remember the Science Center of Eastern Connecticut (it was across the street from Connecticut College)? Ted McGuire now has a toy company in Providence, RI, and we carry several of his award-winning science kits for various ages in the MUSEUM SHOP! Ted also happens to be the son of the late Frank McGuire, for whom our library is named.      
& speaking of science: be kind and reuse your shopping bags (we've got these, too, in the SHOP)!  
 
Now on view at the Custom House
   
Bully for Woolies: Victorian Sailors Stitchery
The Charles B. Moss Sr. & Paula Moss Collection
 
Victorian Woolies: Sailors Stitchery and Other Pastimes', now on view at the Custom House Maritime Museum, celebrates a recent gift of 32 'woolies', or Victorian sailor embroideries,   
from Charles B. Moss, Jr. Here is a splendid, exuberant example, below. 
View our Online Exhibitions of New London Maritime History - HERE
  

New London Maritime Society appreciates the support of our
Lighthouse Logos League businesses  
Please click on the logos to learn more.
 
 
 
 
                    
 
           
 
 
 
    
                   
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Our Lighthouse Logo League is a way for local businesses to reach the 1,100+ shoreline readers per week who reliably read this blast, while supporting NLMS.   Want to join? Email Susan at nlmaritimedirector.com.
We all should work together and   SHOP LOCAL! 
Keep up with what's up!
Sign up to receive this weekly email blast.  
 
 
REMEMBER: the Custom House is a Toys for Tots collection location.
Bring your unwrapped gifts in through December 18.
  
 
 
 
Run for a Claus goes right down Bank Street TODAY - Sunday, Dec. 9, at 10:30 AM. Come and watch the spectacle! A portion of the proceeds  benefits the Covenant Shelter of New London, an emergency shelter for families in need.     
 
 
next Saturday evening   
Celebrate the season with the Eastern CT Symphony Chorus & Orchestra!
December 15, 7:30 pm
The Messiah concert is back at Harkness Chapel on the campus of CT College beginning at 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 15th.   
 
The chorus has a new music conductor, and she has added five more choral movements to our original Messiah program.  The chorus will sing all of the 1st part of Messiah and selections from two and three!  
 
 
 
 
Left, Work continues on our new Kids Ahoy exhibition... 
 

Facebook New London Maritime Society to learn about issues related to our mission of preservation & conservation.  
      

They do look like paint splotches -- but that's the point! New light-weight wool artist scarves are in the MUSEUM SHOP! 
    
 
 
Custom House Maritime Museum   is on Facebook. 'Like' us to keep up with our events, as
well as with news of interest about museums world-wide.  
Below, one more wedding photo.
   
The Custom House MUSEUM SHOP  offers all kinds of unique gifts -- and many wonderful books!  
MUSEUM SHOP gifts have an extra feel good factor: when you shop with us, all your purchases go towards supporting the museum, exhibitions, & educational programs.   
 
Come on in. The MUSEUM SHOP i s open til 7 on Thursdays & Fridays.
Our quilt pf eastern Long Island Sound and Wind Power science kit are featured in New London Main Street's holiday Shop Small window, above. 
 
Faceboo New London Ledge Light  reports the latest n ews about the lighthouse at the center of our harbor.  This is where we post the latest info about our fun-sized lighthouse tours.   
 
Facebook the  Ledge Light Foundation to follow ongoing restoration efforts.
 
You have one chance left to see the Eastern Connecticut Ballet's Nutcracker -- it's charming! The last performance is today, Sunday, at 1:30 at the Garde - for tickets visit tickets.gardearts.org or call the Garde box office at 860-444-7373, Ext 1.  
 
 
 
Facebook New Lon don Harbor Light   reports the latest on NL Harbor 'Pequot' Light and about  American lighthouse preservation. That's Harbor Light ca. 1870, above, in the ballet backdrop. 
 
Facebook Race Rock Lighthouse posts news concerning Race Rock Light and international lighthouse tou rism and preservation efforts.  Make a 140th birthday gift to RR at our Go Fund Me donation page: gofundme.com/race-rock-lighthouse-restoration-pla
   
Facebook Lighthouse Inn, New London, Connecticut to keep up with the Inn's restoration.  Here's the Lighthouse Inn rose garden this week.  
 
Facebook Sentinels on the Sound  posts special events, boat tours, and dates to watch.
 
Facebook  Lighthouses of Long Island Sound Gateway
to learn news of other area  lighthouses.     
 
In July, lighthouse authority and NLMS trustee Nick Korstad purchased Big Bay Lighthouse and moved from Fall River to Michigan's Upper peninsula. Here is Big Bay decorated Korsted-style for the holidays.  
   
 
Below, the 185-year-old United States Custom House - New London Custom House Maritime Museum. 
 
 
 
 
 Have a Sparkling Day.
 
Thank you for 35 years of support of New London Maritime Society!
  Your membership provides annual operating funds for our Museum & Lighthouses.
 
New London Maritime Society | 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320 | 860-447-2501
nl maritimesociety.org
The Custom House Maritime Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 PM, or by appointment | 860-447-2501