It's a Big Weekend At New London's Custom House Maritime Museum

The New London Maritime Society - Custom House Maritime Museum presents a weekend of special events on September 28 and 29:

Saturday, September 28: A reception for artist Ruth Sussler and her exhibition Scenes from Neptune Park takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank Street, New London A long-time New London resident, Ruth Sussler's luminous oil paintings of local maritime scenes remains on view at the Custom House only through September 29, 2013. The event is free and open to the public.  

Sunday, September 29 is the much-anticipated 2nd free (donation-only) day to tour Pequot (New London Harbor) Lighthouse. Although there is no charge, reservations must be made in advance by calling 860-447-2501. Only six people are permitted up the 119 steps to the lighthouse lantern at one time, due to limited space within 212-year-old historic structure. Children age seven and above must be able to climb on their own (not carried) to take part.

A proclamation, issued by Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy, designated Summer 2013 as the Summer of New London Harbor Light. The proclamation also launched NLMS's initiative: Be Part of Something BIG, a fundraising campaign to restore Harbor Light (also known as Pequot Light). Although the September 29 event marks the end of the Summer of New London Harbor Light, the campaign to Be Part of Something BIG continues into the fall, as we seek to raise sufficient funds to restore the lighthouse.

September is  Connecticut Freedom Trail Month. New London Maritime Society celebrates the occasion with an Open House on Sunday, September 29, at the Custom House Maritime Museum. In addition to free admission for the day, the museum will play the PBS video series The Abolitionists throughout the afternoon.

At 4 p.m., New London City historian Sally Ryan will speak at the Museum about New London's involvement in the slave trade. The Custom House Maritime Museum has the only permanent exhibition in the country devoted to the Amistad story.  Admission is free and open to the public on Sunday to the museum and to Sally Ryan's talk.  

It is the mission of the New London Maritime Society to protect and preserve New London's maritime heritage. We are committed to telling the stories of New London's waterfront and to preserving our important heritage sites for future generations. 

A Press Release from the Custom House Maritime Museum