Above, Hello from NLMS director Susan Tamulevich. Saturday was the 37th ANNUAL MEETING of the New London Maritime Society.

Thirty-seven years ago, NL citizens pulled together to create a new organization, one dedicated to the preservation – the celebration -- of New London’s maritime heritage. Now we are engaged in a great pandemic, which is sorely testing whether that organization can endure.
 
Well, mid-pandemic we are still here. Although times are tough, we cannot forget our founders: Lucile Showalter, Ben Martin, Frank McGuire, Tom Hahn, Pauline & Russ DeMarco, and Greg Stone among them, who toiled so tirelessly to bring this organization into reality.
 
It is for us, on this 37th anniversary, to rededicate ourselves to the unfinished work which they so nobly advanced: that in 2021, this organization shall spring forth with a new burst of energy, and shall not perish from the earth.
(--with apologies to the Lincoln's Gettysburg Address!)

Elected as trustees on November 28,2020
~ Sandi Brewster-Walker
~ John Desjardins
~ Joseph Maco
~ Ann Marenakos
~ Hank Savin

Elected as officers on November 28,2020
Ed Cubanski, president
Christina Corcoran, vice president
Alan Lyon, treasurer
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The Custom House Maritime Museum currently is closed for tours.
We plan to reopen the museum on a regular schedule for members only once New London is out of the Covid red zone.

Our terrific MUSEUM SHOP is now open by appointment. Members always receive a 10% discount.


Renew or become a new member of the New London Maritime Society today.

What's Up at the Custom House - November 29, 2020
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 
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

Visit inside New London Harbor Lighthouse.
We give tours year-round.

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! photo: Christina Corcoran

The visit takes around 45 minutes. Everyone uses hand sanitizer and we all wear masks.

Tours for one small Covid pod of up-to four people may be arranged by emailing [email protected].

Suggested donations are $35 for adults, $30 for NLMS members, & $25 for youth 7-to-18 years old.
~ Join us for a Holiday Concert December 9 ~
Celebrate the holidays at the Custom House -- this season on ZOOM!

Join us Wednesday, December 9 at 7 PM for a free concert by old NLMS friends Libby Glover and David Tamulevich, aka Mustards Retreat.
We will post the zoom information prior to the event.
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Join the New London Maritime Society.
An NLMS membership makes the perfect gift!

~ New Individual ($35) or Family memberships ($50) receive a 12" x 18" poster by Patrick Lynch. (You may pick it up at the Custom House.)

~ New Contributor level memberships ($100) & above also receive a copy of Patrick Lynch's A Field Guide to Long Island Sound: Coastal Habitats, Plant Life, Fish, Seabirds, Marine Mammals, and Other Wildlife (a $24 value). (You may pick it up at the Custom House.)

The MUSEUM SHOP is open by appointment.
Call If you happen to be downtown 860-447-2501
Members always receive free admission to the Custom House and invitations to special events, as well as a 10% discount on all SHOP purchases.
Below, Christina shopping in the SHOP Saturday.
below: from the Day
New London to host six weeks of multicultural celebrations this holiday season
Published November 24. 2020 11:13 AM 

The city of New London has announced a series of socially distant holiday-season events celebrating the diverse array of faiths and beliefs in New London's culture.

The 2020 holiday events include:
  • New London Holiday Market, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20, and also Dec. 27 and Jan. 3: Parade Plaza will feature downtown shopping at the New London Holiday Market.  (The CH SHOP will be open Saturdays from noon to 5 PM)

  • Shop Local, Shop Late, Thursdays Dec. 3-24: All downtown businesses will remain open until 8 p.m. (The Custom House SHOP will not be open Dec. 24)

  • Elf on the Shelf, Dec. 5: Downtown businesses will display the popular Elf on the Shelf inside their businesses and in their storefronts for walkers to discover as they stroll through downtown. The Elf on the Shelf will come to life at 44 Bank St. between 1 and 2 p.m. in the storefront window.

  • Also on Dec. 5, Hygienic Art will host a family movie showing of "Shrek the Halls," "Olaf’s Frozen Adventure," "Smurf Holiday Celebration" and "Merry Madagascar" starting at 5 p.m. at the Hygienic Art Park.

  • New London Menorah Lighting, 5 p.m. Dec. 10: Join the city of New London for the lighting of the Parade Plaza Menorah, which also will be live-streamed.

  • Festival of Lights, Dec. 12: New London will be decorated in holiday lighting at City Hall, Parade Plaza and at Waterfront Park. 

  • Santa’s Mailbox, Dec. 19: Families and children can visit Santa at 44 Bank St. as they make their lists and drop them off at Santa’s mailbox. 

  • Art vendors, noon-7 p.m. Dec. 19: Art vendors will set up at the Hygienic Art Park as part of the Art = Gift pop-up shops.

  • Kwanzaa Celebration, Dec. 26: To commemorate Kwanzaa, New London businesses are banding together to offer learning and entertainment opportunities for children at their shops. At a participating business, children can pick up a Kwanzaa activity book to explore and enjoy. 

  • Musica Navidena, 2-4 p.m. Jan. 2: Ocean Beach Park will host a drive-in holiday music concert. Admission is one unwrapped toy for the Three Kings celebration.

  • Three Kings Celebration, Jan. 2: New London’s Holiday Celebration ends as the city begins a new year by giving back to the community. Toys collected throughout November, December and January will be distributed to children in need by the Dominican Association of New London at 44 Bank St. alongside a live Three Kings display in the storefront.

Throughout the holiday season, the city is partnering with the Dominican Association of New London to host a toy drive. Through Jan. 2, donations of unwrapped toys can be dropped off in the lobby of the Stanton Building, 111 Union St., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays or at the New London Police Department at 5 Gov. Winthrop Ave. daily.
Keep an eye on the harbor 24/7 with the New London HarborCam. 1.2 million viewers already have!

Watch a time-lapse video of New London Harbor from the HarborCam, from July 8, 2019 to November 10, 2020 -- 17 months -- here.




  • 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.
Below, Image from Nov 25, 2020 at 4:46 PM Temp: 54°F, RH: 80.20%, Dew Point: 48 °F
150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320 | 860-447-2501
The Custom House Maritime Museum is closed until further notice | 860-447-2501