With the changing of seasons, the park is shifting from a weekly to a bi-weekly newsletter. Thank you for engaging with the ever-growing and evolving Thames River Heritage Park and it's partner sites! | |
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Fall Harvest Festival
Old Town Mill, New London
Saturday, October 5th | 11AM-3PM
Join the City of New London to welcome fall and kick off spooky season!
Bring the entire family down for all-ages activities. This event is entirely FREE and features horse drawn wagon rides, musical entertainment, kettle corn, apple cider, doughnuts, and much more. The grist mill will also be open for tours and the showing of a video on mill operations.
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New London Food Stroll
Wednesday, October 9th | 5PM-8:30PM
Visit different restaurants, shops, arts and cultural institutions in downtown New London. Bite-size samples of dishes or drinks that range from seafood to sweets, organic to ethnic and everything in between will be at the District’s finest eateries. Premiere local talent will perform along the stroll route as participants experience a vibrant downtown New London filled with people, music, good cheer and welcoming businesses.
Purchase a wristband in advance or day-of as your ticket to taste! A limited amount of tickets are available for this annual event.
MORE INFO
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Scrimshaw/Tattoo Connection
Richard Stremme Exhibit
FRI, OCT 4 | 6PM
Custom House Museum, New London
Consummate collector and tattoo artist Richard Stremme will share objects related to one of his many interests: the connection between/and origins of American scrimshaw and hand poke tattoo. View the exhibition and hear Rich's show-and-tell with objects from the exhibition. He also give some practical tips/experiences regarding collecting/investigating the above. Free, open to the public.
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Legendary Comedy Act
Paula Poundstone
FRI, OCT 4 | 8PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Iconic comedian Paula Poundstone is known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit that has become the stuff of legend. She regularly plays theaters across the country, hosts a weekly comedy podcast, is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me and was the first female comic to host the White House Correspondents Dinner. Her list of accolades goes on for miles and her show is not one to miss!
TICKETS
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Blissworks Yoga
Yoga Basics
SAT, OCT 5 | 8:30AM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Class covers basic yoga poses, breathwork, relaxation and more for all levels of practice. Each class is uniquely crafted and different postures are explored each time. Among the countless benefits of yoga, you will discover a stronger sense of self, improved concentration, strength and balance, greater flexibility and mobility, along with a greater sense of awareness.
REGISTER
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A Morning for Pets
Blessing of the Animals
SAT, OCT 5 | 10AM
St. James Episcopal, New London
All pets (real and play versions) are welcome to join the blessing of the animals at the St. James parking lot. A bin will be available for collecting blankets, towels, sheets, newspaper, food, new toys and monetary donations to assist animals in need. Police comfort/wellness dogs, CT Humane Society representatives and New London/Waterford animal control personnel are planning to attend!
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Stock Up on Your Favorites
Indoor Artisan Market
SAT, OCT 5 | 10AM-3PM
Municipal Building, Groton
The market will be showcasing 30+ local artisans and vendors. Find treats and treasures from a variety of small businesses selling handmade items in jewelry, decor, art, soaps, knitted goods, woodcraft, and so much more! And don't forget to visit the Alpacas from SixPaca Farm. This event benefits the Bill Memorial Library in Groton City.
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Pick and Paint a Pumpkin
Free First Saturday
SAT, OCT 5 | 11AM-1PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Each month on the first Saturday, enjoy free admission all day at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum! Family artmaking takes place in the art studio. This month's activity is painting pumpkins! Get into the fall spirit, but dress for mess.
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NLMS Lighthouse Tours
Inside NL Harbor Pequot Light
SAT, OCT 5 & SUN, OCT 6 | 12PM
Pequot Light, New London
The weather is perfect for visiting Long Island Sound's oldest and tallest lighthouse. Thanks to a grant from friends at Veolia-NL Water Authority and at the Chelsea Groton Foundation, New London residents may visit with a $5 ticket through December, 2024! Climb 116 steps up into the lighthouse lantern for spectacular views of the Sound.
MORE INFO
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One Zen Sunday
Yoga with Kim
SUN, OCT 6 | 9AM
Hygienic Art Park, New London
Start your Sunday with Kim for a yoga experience at the Hygienic Art Park. Best of all, it's FREE! Don’t miss out on this unique experience to practice and unwind in downtown New London.
MORE INFO
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27th Annual Film Festival
Manhattan Short
SUN, OCT 6 | 3PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
There is nothing more special than when over 100,000 film lovers in over 500 cities across six continents gather for one reason…to view and vote on the Finalists’ Films in the 27th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival. With 10 total films to watch, your vote has the power to propel these movies into the big leagues amongst 2025 Oscar contenders. A perfect way to kick back and relax with popcorn in hand.
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Blissworks Yoga
Yoga Basics
TUE, OCT 8 | 9AM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Class covers basic yoga poses, breathwork, relaxation and more for all levels of practice. Each class is uniquely crafted and different postures are explored each time. Among the countless benefits of yoga, you will discover a stronger sense of self, improved concentration, strength and balance, greater flexibility and mobility, along with a greater sense of awareness.
REGISTER
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Local Goods Await You
Groton Farmers Market
TUE, OCT 8 | 3-6PM
Washington Park, Groton
Primarily an agricultural market, Groton Farmers Market also includes a variety of local baked goods, seafood/fish, meats, poultry/eggs grown in Connecticut. Foods and food products must be identified as organic, or not, and include place of origin. The aim of the market, which runs weekly through October, is to make accessible, affordable, healthy, locally-produced food available to the community.
MORE INFO
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Dive Into Family History
Genealogy Seminar
TUE, OCT 8 | 7PM-9PM
Shaw Mansion, New London
This seminar consists of four classes throughout the month of October led by expert, Kim McLean. The course begins with the basics of research, organization and documentation of your genealogy and instructs the student in the use of the internet to conduct research from home or local library. It is sponsored by New London County Historical Society.
REGISTER HERE
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Food Stroll Film
Mystic Pizza
WED, OCT 9 | 7PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
GAC is hosting a movie night in collaboration with the New London Food Stroll. Admission is free with a stroll wristband or a small price for walk-ins! Mystic Pizza is a 1988 American romantic comedy-drama film that follows the coming-of-age of three young Portuguese-American friends who work at a pizza parlor in a seaside Connecticut town.
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Blissworks Yoga
Yoga Basics
THU, OCT 10 | 5:30PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Class covers basic yoga poses, breathwork, relaxation and more for all levels of practice. Each class is uniquely crafted and different postures are explored each time. Among the countless benefits of yoga, you will discover a stronger sense of self, improved concentration, strength and balance, greater flexibility and mobility, along with a greater sense of awareness.
REGISTER
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Artist Led Gallery Talk
Marvin Epsy
THU, OCT 10 | 5:30PM-7PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Due to popular demand, a second gallery talk has been scheduled for the exhibition Up from the Asphalt. Join LAAM for a walk through with artist Marvin Espy as he explores the images and ideas presented in his collection. Add this to your calendar and a time to view the exhibit before the final showing on October 20th.
MORE INFO
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Blissworks Yoga
Yoga Basics
SAT, OCT 12 | 8:30AM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Class covers basic yoga poses, breathwork, relaxation and more for all levels of practice. Each class is uniquely crafted and different postures are explored each time. Among the countless benefits of yoga, you will discover a stronger sense of self, improved concentration, strength and balance, greater flexibility and mobility, along with a greater sense of awareness.
REGISTER
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NLMS Lighthouse Tours
Inside NL Harbor Pequot Light
SAT, OCT 12 & SUN, OCT 13 | 12PM
Pequot Light, New London
The weather is perfect for visiting Long Island Sound's oldest and tallest lighthouse. Thanks to a grant from friends at Veolia-NL Water Authority and at the Chelsea Groton Foundation, New London residents may visit with a $5 ticket through December, 2024! Climb 116 steps up into the lighthouse lantern for spectacular views of the Sound.
MORE INFO
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One Zen Sunday
Yoga with Kim
SUN, OCT 13 | 9AM
Hygienic Art Park, New London
Start your Sunday with Kim for a yoga experience at the Hygienic Art Park. Best of all, it's FREE! Don’t miss out on this unique experience to practice and unwind in downtown New London.
MORE INFO
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Groton Heights Walking Tour
Starr Burying Ground
SUN, OCT 13 | 2PM
Fort Griswold State Park, Groton
Groton Town Historian Jim Streeter, Leslie M. Evans of the Avery-Copp House Museum, and Barbara Nagy, former administrator of the Hempsted Houses in New London, will lead the walk. It will feature the stories of some of the cemetery’s most prominent “residents,” Grotonites who led lives notable for their adventures, good fortune, and altruism on tragedy. Including tales from the Battle of Groton Heights.
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Mezza Concert Series
Crys Matthews
SUN, OCT 13 | 3PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Mezza Concerts is proud to present its second show in a dynamic lineup of LGBTQ+ musicians and artists planned for New London. In the spirit of National Coming Out Day, Crys Matthews, who calls herself “the poster child for intersectionality,” will share her songs of social justice and “compassionate dissent” in The Oasis Room.
BUY TICKETS
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20th Anniversary Rock Show
Dogbite & Friends
SUN, OCT 13 | 3PM-7PM
Hygienic Art, New London
Hygienic is throwing down with a 3-act bill to celebrate two decades of rockin’ music from Dogbite and friends at the Art Park. Elana Zabari solo will kick off the day, Post Traumatic Jazz Disorder will be the second act and Dogbite will round out the afternoon. This will be an epic day of live music, good vibes, and local love at one of New London's coolest venues.
MORE INFO
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Blissworks Yoga
Yoga Basics
TUE, OCT 15 | 9AM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Class covers basic yoga poses, breathwork, relaxation and more for all levels of practice. Each class is uniquely crafted and different postures are explored each time. Among the countless benefits of yoga, you will discover a stronger sense of self, improved concentration, strength and balance, greater flexibility and mobility, along with a greater sense of awareness.
REGISTER
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JIBBOOM Club #1
Tales: Dawn by the River
TUE, OCT 15 | 1:30PM
Custom House, New London
A new spin on this local gathering, it's a maritime, spoken word Open Mic. Storyteller Claudia Kenyon will bring together six Jibboomers to tell their own stories about the waterfront. Jibboom is not a club, but a friendly gathering with a speaker, treats, and good fellowship. The event is FREE and open to all and sponsored by the Maco Family Fund.
MORE INFO
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Local Goods Await You
Groton Farmers Market
TUE, OCT 15 | 3-6PM
Washington Park, Groton
Primarily an agricultural market, Groton Farmers Market also includes a variety of local baked goods, seafood/fish, meats, poultry/eggs grown in Connecticut. Foods and food products must be identified as organic, or not, and include place of origin. The aim of the market, which runs weekly through October, is to make accessible, affordable, healthy, locally-produced food available to the community.
MORE INFO
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Community Sewing Workshop
Sip & Sew
WED, OCT 16 | 3-6PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Join Kristi Holohan from Pattagansett Art Center for a fun sewing workshop. Learn the basics of your home sewing machine or you can bring a project that you want help with or use. Kristi will also have patterns set up for simple projects that can be completed in the 2 hour session. Join one session or the whole series to strengthen your knowledge. Beverages will be for sale at the Garde Arts bar during each class!
MORE INFO
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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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- New London 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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