Weekend Washout!

What's Up at the

Custom House

September 27, 2026

#StandUpForScience #Museums4Science

The Custom House Maritime Museum, lighthouse tours, and Open Mic at the Museum are canceled for today, September 27, due to the storm.

The Custom House Maritime Museum is open

Thursday and Friday 1-5 PM,

Sat. from 10AM-5 PM, and Sun. from 1-5 PM.

This Week at the Custom House

It's been a short week for us.

With the storm now here, we've canceled all lighthouse tours, Open Mic at the Museum, and closed the Custom House for the weekend! We reopen this Thursday, 1-5 PM.

Photo, above: a new acquisition: a 1799 ship manifest for the Sloop Mary.

We’re getting so close!

Work on Phase 1 of the Custom House roof replacement is scheduled to begin October 12 — just two weeks away!

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we have raised a substantial portion of the funds needed for Phase 1 of this vital project. Along the way, however, emergency roof repairs have required a portion of those funds — necessary work to protect this historic building while we prepare for a permanent solution.

Phase 1 will replace the sloped perimeter of the 1933 Custom House roof. Carefully designed modifications to the historic roof will ensure that the Yankee gutters around the roof perimeter and the four interior gutters inside the attic can handle increasingly intense downpours. Your donations and grants will cover much of this work, and the museum will contribute operating funds to cover the remaining Phase 1 costs.

We’re asking for your help to close that gap. Every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to completing this essential work and protecting the Custom House and its contents for future generations.

And we’re not done yet. Phase 2 — replacement of the center flat platform and flagpole and restoration to its 1833 design — will follow as soon as we raise the additional funds needed to complete the entire roof project.

For now, we’re watching tonight’s storm and hoping for as little water as possible inside the building.

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to help, this is it. Please consider making a donation today and help us get Phase 1 across the finish line before work begins on October 12.

Please donate HERE to our new roof and help protect the Custom House for generations to come!

Thank you for helping us preserve this important piece of our community’s history.

--Susan

NL Local History & Landmarks, a year-long program for third graders in the NL Public Schools funded entirely by grants and NLMS, commences on Friday for the new school year. Jody Barthel leads the program, now in its 16th year, with class visits to Fort Trumbull!

Visit Long Island Sound's oldest

and tallest lighthouse.

Photo, above: a new mural at TOX.

Saturdays, Sundays, & by appointment year-round -- a popular destination for more than two centuries.



Visit Inside NL Harbor

Pequot Lighthouse

Take a tour inside 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 40 minutes. Sign up today. To book a custom tour,send us an email. New London & Groton residents may purchase $5 tickets, thanks to the grant from Veolia - New London Water Authority!

Wed. Sept. 30, 5:30 pm reception, 6 pm program

at the New Haven Museum

Exploring the Jagged Edges

of History: The Black Schooner

Join internationally renowned historian, filmmaker, playwright, and activist Dr. Marcus Rediker and award-winning artist David Lester for the launch of their new graphic novel, The Black Schooner: Rebellion on the Amistad, A Graphic Novel. At the New Haven Museum. Get tickets!

We've already got The Black Schooner -- and other books by Dr. Rediker -- in the Custom House Shop!

Thursday, 1 October • 7 PM ET on ZOOM

Wrecked on the Reef

Maritime Archaeology of American Whaleships in the Pacific Ocean

Join the National Maritime History Society

on Thursday evening, 1 October, at 7 PM ET for their First Thursdays Seminar Series featuring maritime archaeologist Jason T. Raupp, PhD, author of Wrecked on the Reef: Maritime Archaeology of American Whaleships in the Pacific Ocean.

On Zoom. It's by donation. Register now.

New London Art Stroll

October 3, 2026

​

SANTOS

photography by Johanna Case-Hofmeister

The exhibition features twelve images from Santos, created between 2023 and 2024. Spanning the desolate volcanic coastline of the Baja California region along the Sea of Cortez and the city of Mexicali, the photographs depict subjects ranging from whale bones to a crashed airplane. Santos will remain on view at the Custom House through November 1, 2026.

Photo, right: Johanna Case-Hofmeister.

L1011, December, 2023, Mexicali, Baja California

Tuesday, October 20, 1:30 pm

JIBBOOM CLUB #1

In October, John Wilbur will talk about the Coastal Picket Patrol of World War II. These were yachts that were taken into military service, crewed to a large degree by yachtsmen who were otherwise disqualified or unfit for active service in the armed forces. John is the author of An Unusual way to Fight a War: At Sea with the Offshore Patrol.



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.

Sunday, October 25, 6-9pm

Open Mic at the Museum

Come for the creativity, stay for the camaraderie.

Our monthly Open Mic is all about good vibes and real connection.



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. There are cookies, and new lighting! All ages, all abilities are welcome. $5.