What's Up at the

Custom House

January 4, 2026

#StandUpForScience #Museums4Science

This week is your last opportunity to see Jon Buller - Sailing Alone.

Photo, top: Joshua Slocom, egg tempera painting by Jon Buller.

From all of us at the New London Maritime Society, thank you for your continued support of our mission to protect New London’s maritime heritage—its stories, landmarks, and traditions.

We could not do this important work without you.

Happy New Year!

--Susan

~ The Custom House reopens on Thursday, January 8, 2026 ~

Now on view: two special exhibitions.

In November 2025 Jon Buller launched his new graphic novel at the Custom House — a cartoon adaptation of Joshua Slocum’s Sailing Alone Around the World.



Nineteen of Mr. Buller’s original pencil-&-ink artworks for the book are featured in a companion exhibition, Jon Buller: Sailing Alone, in the museum’s upstairs gallery through January 11.

about the artist: Jon Buller has been a cartoonist since age five, when his Uncle Joe first got him drawing. In 1968 he met Susan Schade; the two married and settled in Lyme, Connecticut. Before pursuing art full-time, Jon worked at the local post office. In 1974, he launched 'Bob Blob', a comic strip for a community newspaper. A neighbor encouraged him to try illustrating children’s books — advice that paid off. Seven years later, Jon sold his first book.

Since then, he and Susan Schade have collaborated on more than seventy titles, ranging from graphic novels and picture books to Nudism Comes to Connecticut, a graphic novel for adults.

Jon also taught cartooning for many years at the Custom House Maritime Museum. More about his work can be found on his website: bullersooz.com.

Sailing Alone is available in the Custom House gift shop.

Opening Saturday, January 17

seals and society

Each winter we offer seal watch trips to our members. The trips are fun, bracing (yes, chilly), and great photo opportunities. But did you know that seals only began to repopulate Long Island Sound in the mid-1970s?

There’s a lot to learn about our sleek new neighbors, which is why we’re so happy to bring in Seals and Society, a traveling exhibition from the New Bedford Whaling Museum. It will be on view at the Custom House from January 17—March 22, 2026.

This multi-panel display dives into the daily lives of these remarkable, specially adapted animals—focusing on harbor and gray seals, the two species most common in our region. Stunning photographs, custom graphics, and the latest research will bring visitors into the seals’ watery world, helping us better understand their lives and our connection to them. NLMS will also offer seal watches near local haul-out sites, and other special programs—stay tuned for dates and details! 

(& speaking of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, it's time for their 30th Moby Dick marathon!)

Sunday, January 25, 6-9 PM

Open Mic at the Museum

Hosted by Kenny 'Doc' Frasier; our monthly open mic welcomes music, poetry, prose, stand-up, or the opportunity to just state what's on your mind. It happens on the last Sunday of every month. Show up at 5:45 and get on the list to take the mic! Photo,right: Donna -- Kenny's partner in running Open Mic!

Open to all ages and abilities for fun & camaraderie. It's a friendly crowd!

$5 donation.

Opening Saturday, January 31

Greg Shea: Tintype Portraits

Last fall, in conjunction with Lisa Kereszi's vintage tintype exhibition, we brought artist Greg Shea to the Custom House to create individual custom tintype portraits. His October sessions -- all 14 of them -- sold out.

We've invited Greg back both for an exhibition of his own work-- elegant, sultry tintype portraits, and also an additional opportunity for you to sit for a custom portrait.

Photo, left: Greg Shea's tintype portraits on exhibit last fall at The Ordinary in New Haven, CT.

On February 14 Greg will once again set up his complete tintype studio at the Custom House. It's a 2nd chance to have your tintype portrait made--alone or with your sweetheart: an especially fitting Valentine's Day surprise! Reservation details will be available in next week's email blast.

We just reached 8 M viewers on the NL HarborCam! Here's the moon rise last night.