Next in the Park: September 14th-30th | | |
Save the Sound
International Coastal Cleanup
SUN, SEPT 14 | 10AM-1PM
Fort Trumbull State Park, New London
Each year, Save the Sound leads the Connecticut Cleanup—the state’s largest coastal cleanup event. Powered by passionate volunteers, this initiative brings communities together to restore the health and beauty of our parks, rivers, and beaches. Register today for this local cleanup in New London.
REGISTER TODAY
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CT Landmarks Shuttle Tour
Colonial New London
SUN, SEPT 14 | 1PM
Hempsted Houses, New London
Visit sites that the infamous diarist frequented, including those of Joshua Hempsted’s relatives, and view the Stonington Farm property from across the river. You will also hear about Adam Jackson, who Joshua Hempsted enslaved on the property during the second half of the tour.
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Colonial Revival Gem
History Open House
SUN, SEPT 14 | 4PM
Avery-Copp House Museum, Groton
Tour the house overlooking the Thames River was that was built in 1916 by Pierre and Louise Avery Schellens. The home was recently bequeathed to the Avery-Copp Museum by their grandson Peter Schellens and his wife Lila. Enjoy music, hors d'oeuvres and refreshments with a beautiful view of the Thames River.
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Choral Evensong
Anglican Singers
SUN, SEPT 14 | 5PM
Pequot Chapel, New London
Good will offerings will be accepted at this evening Sunday gathering at the Pequot Chapel. This will be the last of their summer seasonal events. The Anglican Singers will perform in the small chapel. All are welcome.
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JIBBOOM Club #1
Mark Seth Lender
TUE, SEPT 16 | 1:30PM
Custom House M. Museum, New London
Lender is the Explorer in Residence at Living on Earth, a national broadcast on Public Radio. He will share some of the photographs from his upcoming exhibition, The End of the Ice, and the story that goes with his fieldwork. Including the High Arctic, Canada and the Canadian tundra, and the Antarctic. This is a free event.
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Behinds the Scenes of the Museum
Open Collections Day
THU, SEPT 18 | 10AM-3PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Open Collections Days provide visitors with an opportunity to see staff at work in the Museum’s Hendel Library. Collections staff engage with visitors while working on research projects. Visitors can gain new access to the Lyman Allyn’s vast collection of original art, artifacts and objects.
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Monthly Teen Gathering
Book Bash
THU, SEPT 18 | 6PM
Bill Memorial Library, Groton
Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to make a collage of their favorite book cover! The library will have magazines and other paper to use as paint as you recreate/reinterpret cover art. After the program they will be on display for all to admire. Early registration required.
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Live Music in the Art Park
Roomful of Blues
FRI, SEPT 19 | 7PM
Hygienic Art, New London
Formed in 1967 by a group of Rhode Island teenagers passionate about the blues, eventually they added a horn section and gained national recognition. Troy Mercy will open up the evening of music. Save $5 with a purchase of an early bird ticket!
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Drop-In Artmaking
The Bee Project
SAT, SEPT 20 | 11AM-1PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Drop in for a special artmaking session to make a bee to add the THE BEE PROJECT installation on the museum grounds. It is an outdoor, site-specific installation by artist Elena Smyrniotis that celebrates community, creativity and environmental care. Add your bee to the installation before it leaves on October 12!
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Claude Bolling's Jazz Suite
NLMS Fundraiser
SAT, SEPT 20 | 4PM
Custom House M. Museum, New London
Save the date for this upcoming Custom House soiree. Jazz, drinks and nibbles are on the menu for this fundraiser for the New London Maritime Society. Jazz Trio Melisa Trinidad, Rachael Brown and Linda Hinz will perform Claude Bolling's Jazz Suite, while you sip, sit back, and relax. Purchase your seat early!
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Annual Workshop and Conference
CT Storytelling Festival
SAT, SEPT 20 | ALL DAY
Garde Arts Center, New London
The Connecticut Storytelling Festival celebrates a wide range of stories through performances and workshops. During the day, attendees will hear folk tales, personal narratives, and poetry presented by a diverse array of tellers at the Thames Club on State Street across from the Garde and an evening performance by Carmen Agra Deedy on the Garde Arts Center stage.
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Comedy Craft Beer Tour
Drew Dunn in the Oasis Room
SAT, SEPT 20 | 8PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
In 2014, Drew began his stand-up career quickly making a name for himself around New England for his quick wit, voices, and unique style. After winning the Boston Comedy Festival in 2017, he began to perform comedy regularly around the country. Most recently, Drew opened for comedy legend, Dane Cook, on his 2023 and 2024 tours.
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The African American Connection
Ye Antientist Burial Ground Tour
SUN, SEPT 21 | 2PM
Hempsted Houses, New London
Visit one of New England’s earliest graveyards with a special focus on those of African descent who are buried there. Meet your guides from the Hempsted Houses and the New London chapter of the NAACP at the burying ground at the top of Hempstead Street. Advance registration recommended.
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David J. Marchi Gallery Talk
Break on Through
THU, SEPT 25 | 5:30PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Join LAAM for a gallery talk celebrating the exhibition David J. Marchi: Break on Through. Explore the galleries with Marchi and hear the stories behind his vibrant artworks. Painting with intensity and a sense of purpose, David J. Marchi produces energetic and bold abstract paintings that document his deeply personal journey of artistic transformation.
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Revolutionary War Ancestry
Charter Oak Genealogy
THU, SEPT 25 | 6PM via Zoom
Bill Memorial Library, Groton
Did your Connecticut ancestor support the American cause during the Revolution? Bryan O’Sullivan of Charter Oak Genealogy, will help you find out during this free Zoom program. O’Sullivan will introduce attendees to the appropriate resources to trace their ancestor’s service during the Revolutionary War, from pension files to town meeting records.
REGISTER TODAY
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Live Music in the Art Park
Frank Colmenares & the Guys
FRI, SEPT 26 | 6:30PM
Hygienic Art, New London
Come on out for an evening of live music and entertainment. Eat, drink and laugh with your crew during this lively set featuring local artists! RU Williams, Malado, Flowers & Kain and DJ Jada Capri will take the stage hosted by Dame FK. Save $5 with a ticket purchase online before the day of show.
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Fall Family Fun
New London Harvest Festival
SAT, SEPT 27 | 11AM-3PM
Old Town Mill, New London
Celebrate fall in historic New London! Bring the whole family for a festive autumn celebration you won’t want to miss. This is a free public event filled with music, food, fun, tours, petting zoo and fall activities. This beloved event captures the spirit of the season while highlighting the rich history of our community.
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Comedy Craft Beer Tour
Chris Tabb in the Oasis Room
SAT, SEPT 27 | 8PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Marshall Brandon has been making people laugh since he uttered his first words. His talents have landed him on BET three times, TV One’s Who Got Jokes and NatGeo’s I AM REBEL. Marshall is also touring nationally while opening for Dave Chapelle.
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Living Among the Dead
Cedar Grove Cemetery Tour
SUN, SEPT 28 | 10:30AM
New London Landmarks, New London
This tour will touch upon its origins and development within the context of the Rural Cemetery Movement. Created in the years just before the Civil War, the United States was undergoing rapid societal changes and it was part of a larger movement aiming to transform the role of cemeteries. Explore the radical ways life overflowed into the space of the dead.
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All Talents Welcome
Open Mic at the Museum
SUN, SEPT 28 | 6-9PM
Custom House M. Museum, New London
Hosted by Kenny 'Doc' Frasier, this monthly open mic welcomes music, poetry, prose, stand-up, or the opportunity to just state what is on your mind. Show up at 5:45 and get on the list to perform! Open to all ages and abilities for fun & camaraderie. It's a friendly crowd.
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The Buena Vista Orchestra
Jesus "Aguaje" Ramos
SUN, SEPT 28 | 7PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
The Buena Vista Orchestra, under the direction of JESUS “AGUAJE” RAMOS, the original orchestra leader, composer and trombonist of The Buena Vista Social Club, and featuring key players from throughout the it's history continues the legacy of the legendary group with an exciting new stage production and repertoire pulled from the greatest hits and deep-dive cuts.
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Book a Private Charter
Thames River Heritage Park
through October 26th
This service takes you out on the Thames River for any occasion! Schedule a charter to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and more. Travel along the Thames and take in the maritime history along it's coastline.
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New London Harbor Light Tours
NL Maritime Society, New London
Saturdays & Sundays | 12PM
Climb 116 steps up into the lighthouse lantern for spectacular views of the Sound in the oldest and tallest lighthouse in the country. Tours occur each weekend of the year for groups of up to five people.
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City of Groton Farmers Market
Washington Park, Groton
Tuesdays | 3-6PM
June 10th - October 10th
A variety of vendors will line the green of Washington Park all summer long with handmade items, produce, food, live music and more. Shop local!
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Blissworks Yoga
Garde Arts Center, New London
Relocated from their Bank Street location, their classes now takes place in the spacious Garde.
Yoga Basics
Tuesdays | 9AM
Intermediate Yoga
Saturdays | 8:30AM
CLASS CALENDAR
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Yoga with Kim
Hygienic Art, New London
Every Sunday | 9AM
Start your Sunday with Kim for a yoga experience at Hygienic Art sponsored by Yale New Haven Health. Best of all, it's FREE! Don’t miss out on this unique experience to practice and unwind in downtown New London.
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Gift Cards
Gift cards may be used for ALL historic and pop-up boat tours, Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruises, Lecture Series, Docent Academy registration and merchandise.
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Become a Member
Members receive a variety of special benefits, including recognition on our website to discounted tickets and season passes.
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Subscribe to Our Mailing List
Monthly Newsletters, Boat Tour Schedules, Heritage Site Updates and More
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Visit the Park's Heritage Sites
| Thames River Heritage Park Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to connecting, preserving, supporting and promoting the history and heritage sites along the Thames River estuary today and for generations to come. | | Thames River Heritage Park Institutional Partners are organizations committed to preserving and promoting our culture and history but may not have a site to welcome visitors. They are historic or cultural associations, “friends” organizations, and educational institutions. | |
- Connecticut Maritime Heritage Fest
- Connecticut Sea Grant
- Downtown New London Assoc.
- Friends of Fort Griswold
- Friends of Fort Trumbull
- Groton Bank Historical Assoc.
- Ledge Light Foundation
- National Coast Guard Museum
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- NL County Historical Society
- New London Landmarks
- New London Maritime Society
- Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition
- Southeastern CT Enterprise Region
- UCONN Avery Point Maritime Studies
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Thank you to our Sponsors and Grantors
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