Photo, above: Edie Twining was in last week to start setting up her exhibition, opening on June 6.



What's coming Up at the

Custom House

May 24, 2026

#StandUpForScience #Museums4Science

The Custom House Maritime Museum is open

Thursday and Friday 1-5 PM,

Saturday from 10AM -5 PM, and Sunday from 1-5 PM.

Remember: red text indicates a clickable hot link!

Sunday, May 31, 6-9pm



Open Mic at the Museum

Our monthly Open Mic is all about good vibes and real connection. Hosted by Kenny 'Doc' Frasier, it’s a welcoming space for music, poetry, prose, stand-up—or just saying what’s on your mind.

This is a laid-back, live show where anyone can show up and share a few minutes on the mic. Try out new material, build your confidence, or just soak in the energy—it’s all fair game. And there are cookies!

All ages, all abilities are welcome—come for the creativity, stay for the camaraderie. $5.

Saturday, June 6, 2pm

a NL First Saturday event

Shoreline Trio Concert

The trio's all-women composer program features music by

• Dianne Goolkasian Rahbee (1938- present) an Armenian-American living in Boston area
• Mel (Mélanie) Bonis (1858-1937) Parisian composer
• Louise (Dumont) Farrenc  (1804 – 1875) French composer

Rachael Brown, cello; Linda Hinz, piano; Melisa Trinidad, flute

Seating is limited. $12 admission, Free for NLMS members. You must register to reserve your place.

Saturday, June 6, 4-6pm

a NL First Saturday event

MOONSONG Opening

Join us on June 6 as artist Edie Twining presents a new series of collages inspired by Moonsong, a 1923 poem by Mildred Plew Meigs.

Edie will be at the opening with copies of her new book, available for purchase.

It's part of New London’s June First Saturday events.

• Come to the Custom House for our concert at 2, stay for the opening (& a sip of wine), then grab dinner and tour NL's downtown shops & galleries.

Saturdays, Sundays, & by appointment year-round

a popular destination for more than a century.



Visit Inside NL Harbor 

Pequot Light

Visit Long Island Sound's oldest and tallest lighthouse. Established in 1761, the lighthouse stands on land purchased from Nathaniel Shaw, a prominent local resident and Revolutionary War-era merchant. Photo, above: A Shaw descendant from Pennsylvania recently visited at the museum.

Take a tour of Harbor Light to see the 4th order Fresnel lens in use at the light since 1857. Climb 116 steps into the lantern room and enjoy stunning views across Long Island Sound. Tours accommodate up to five people and last about 40 minutes. 

Sign up today. To book a custom tour, just send us an email.

Tuesday, June 16, 1:30 pm

JIBBOOM CLUB #1

Jibboom is not a ‘club’, but a friendly gathering, with a maritime speaker & treats. Please come and bring a friend. It’s free -- generously sponsored by Rose & Joe Maco.

Photo, right: At the May JIBBOOM, Timothy Londrigan III explained how he raises oysters in Niantic Bay.

This Week at the Custom House

I guess Memorial Day is the start of summer. We're back out on the water!

On Saturday Captain David Henry and 1st mate Conrad Henry, right, took us -- all ten of us volunteers --out in the new landing craft to spring clean Ledge Light!

We have a charter coming up next weekend with NELL: New England Lighthouse Lovers.

Nell's visit prompted us to clean Ledge and start our lighthouse boat tours one month early -- in June!

We'll post excursion details at nlmaritimesociety.org.

Thanks to Saturday's intrepid volunteers: David, Conrad, Felix, Rachael, Erica, Siobhan, John, Ronan, Roark, Matt, Christian, Victoria --

& thank you, Andy!

What else happened at the museum last week?

The movers were in (& we're still sorting that out), and we began bringing New London Local-History & Landmarks third graders to visit the Nathan Hale Schoolhouse. How fitting to resume visits to the Schoolhouse in our 250th anniversary year and so near to Memorial Day. There had been several years when the Schoolhouse couldn't be visited. Friday was National Maritime Day -- always a meaningful commemoration in New London. Following the ceremony, we hosted a luncheon at Captain Scott's

Photos, below, first row from left: Rogovin movers, students visit downtown New London (photo: Andrea Simmons), the National Maritime Day ceremony (photo provided by Harold Haugeto). Middle and bottom rows: National Maritime Day luncheon at Captain Scott's.

We'll have some dates for the first Summer 2026 Ledge Lighthouse tours next week!

Now on to the weekend... --Susan

Photo, below: Monday night on the NL HarborCam -- a USCG ship at the Ft. Trumbull Pier.