Sue Davis chronicles the NL Maritime Society and waterfront with scrapbooks, which she meticulously has kept for eight years. They can be viewed in the NLMS Frank L. McGuire Library. Photo, top: this week Sue Davis delivered volumes 1 & 2 (of 3) for 2023!

We love our sponsors - Charter Oak Credit Union - Chelsea Groton Foundation - Community Foundation of Eastern CT - State of CT - CT Humanities - CT Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts - Eleven+ - Frank Loomis Palmer Fund - General Dynamics/Electric Boat - General Dynamics/Electric Boat - Maco Family Fund - Robinson+Cole - Veolia/NL Water Authority. Thank you!

this Tuesday, September 19, 1:30 PM

JIBBOOM CLUB #1

We're bringing back one of our favorite speakers, Pierce Rafferty, director of the Henry L. Ferguson Museum on Fishers Island.

This month Pierce Rafferty chronicles the dramatic story of Fishers Island’s most deadly and consequential shipwreck, the wreck of the Steamer Atlantic in November 1846. This tragic wreck caught the attention of the nation, and was commemorated by mournful ballads, popular poems, and two Currier lithographs. The fate of the ship’s legendary bell, and the erection of a lighthouse on nearby North Dumpling, are just two of the side stories also covered in this fascinating tale of woe.

Remember, Jibboom is not a 'club' but a friendly gathering of people interested in maritime subjects. Please come and bring a friend. We'll bring refreshments!

Our gatherings are generously sponsored by the Maco Family Fund.

Photo, above: Awful Wreck of the Magnificent Steamer ATLANTIC on Fishers Island, Lithograph by N. Currier, 1846, Courtesy of George F. Bass

Photo, below: Drawing copied from daguerreotype showing wreck of the Steamer Atlantic, North Hill, Fishers Island, N.Y. Henry L. Ferguson Museum Collection. Donated by Harry & Susie Ferguson

Sunday, September 24, 6-9 PM

Open Mic at the Museum

Open Mic meets from 6-9 PM on the last Sunday of the month at the beautiful Custom House Maritime Museum. Diverse and unscripted -- anything goes! You never know who will stop in.

Hosted by the very talented Kenny 'Doc' Frasier with NLMS trustee Christina Corcoran, we welcome musicians, poets, story tellers, and friends who want to be inspired. It is totally awesome and a great event for all ages.

Suggested admission $5. Photo: Host Doc Frasier at August's Open Mic at the Museum.

every Saturday & Sunday at 11:45 or by appointment.

Visit Inside New London Harbor Lighthouse

Sign up now to visit inside New London Harbor Pequot Light. We give Harbor Light tours year-round!

Meet at the lighthouse, then climb 116 steps to the lantern room -- all the while learning about the 261-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!​ Harbor Light visits take 40 minutes. Book a tour for up-to five people: click to sign up online, or email to schedule a custom tour during the week.

Tickets are $35, $30 for NLMS members, $25 youth through age 18.

Photo: Saturday's visitors. Christina Corcoran.

Photo, insert: Harbor Light painting by Lou Bonamarte, 2011.

Our Veolia / NL Water Authority grant expired September 9.

But we will continue to offer $5 tickets to visit inside Harbor Lighthouse to New London public school children and their family members through the month of September!  This month is sponsored by the New London Maritime Society.

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On Wednesday Ronald Bernoudy stopped by our favorite downtown shop & new neighbor -- just across the street from the Custom House: Snacks!

We then met up with long-time docent Bill LaRoue and Sam Nizmela to celebrate three August birthdays with lunch at Noodles and Rice Bistro. Great to get some of our long-absent friends together again. Photo, below: Bill LaRoue and Ronald Bernoudy.

Once again: We'd like to offer this impressive display case to any nonprofit which can use it. We received three identical cases from a Massachusetts museum, but find that three is one large case too many!

Dimensions are 8'9" tall and 5' square. Please stop by the museum or email if it's something you would like to see in person. The case is an excellent size for costumes/mannequins, which is how we use the other two. (Case is at right in the photo, above.)

Help, please! The museum needs the assistance of three strong people and a flatbed pickup truck or van to help transport two 80" tall display cases with glass fronts and sides. The cases are narrow (18") and 40" wide, and cannot be disassembled!

These cases, currently in Groton, will replace the one we're giving away.

All things considered, we're quite okay at the Custom House. Hope to see you there! --Susan Tamulevich

We're online & on Facebook!

• Watch New London HarborCam, our 24/7 eye on the harbor. NL HarborCam has 4.7 million views!



Photo, below, via HarborCam: The view of Ft Trumbull.

• Facebook New London Maritime Society to learn about our community and issues related to preservation & conservation.

• Facebook Custom House Maritime Museum to read about NLMS events, museum matters, & exhibitions throughout the world.

• View Online Exhibitions of New London Maritime History from the Custom House Maritime Museum's Frank L. McGuire Library.

• Facebook the Custom House SHOP for gifts with an extra feel good factor -- when you shop with us your purchases support our exhibitions, & educational programs.

• Facebook New London Harbor Light reports the latest on 'Pequot' Light and about how to tour inside the lighthouse. You can visit year-round!

• Facebook New London Ledge Light  for restoration updates, summer tours & other announcements.

• Facebook  Ledge Light Foundation friends group to follow ongoing restoration efforts.

• Facebook Race Rock Lighthouse T.A. Scott built this lighthouse in the middle of the Race.

Photo, above: LIS Aid to Navigation HQ in New Haven.

• Lighthouses of Long Island Sound Gateway  to learn news of other nearby lighthouses.

• Find your lighthouse  is a Facebook page for world-wide lighthouse events & news



• We're on Instagram! @nlmaritime.

Photo, below: September 14: a quiet late afternoon on the NL HarborCam.