Believe it of not, two tickets have become available for the Wednesday, August 26, 9 AM trip to Race Rock. Sign up now!Photo, above: Landing at Race Rock eight years ago. (The buoy tender is a different boat from the one we'll be using this month.) Tom Bombria.

What's Up at the

Custom House

August 16, 2026

#StandUpForScience #Museums4Science

The Custom House Maritime Museum is open

Thursday and Friday 1-5 PM,

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

Photo, below: The fire boat's finale last week before moving from the pier at Ft. Trumbull to the Mystic River.

this Tuesday, August 18, 1:30 pm

JIBBOOM CLUB #1

One of our favorite speakers is back in August -- CT Port Authority Director Mike O'Connor. Mike will bring us up-to-date on State Pier and other matters relating to our ports.

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.

This Week at the Custom House

The fee for the boat trips between Fishers Island and Race Rock is not inexpensive; I worried... I never imagined we'd fill Wednesday's four trips -- 24 seats -- to the lighthouse. But we did. In one hour!

Buoyed by that success we secured a 2nd date from the captain. Those 2nd 24 seats were booked in two hours.

IF you're on the fence about making that excursion, here's a terrific video to watch: The History of Race Rock Light, by Pierce Rafferty, director at the Henry Ferguson Museum on Fishers Island. It chronicles the remarkable story of how a lighthouse came to be erected in the 1870s on a dangerous submerged ledge amidst some of the most unpredictable and swiftest moving tides on the East Coast.

On another note, thanks to everyone who supported the Kalmar Nyckel while it was in NL. The sails sold out!

People love the lighthouses. Their lighthouses!

Chris Stetler, right, stopped by in early July and told us how much it means to him every time he sees Harbor Lighthouse. Watch the video, right, above, and you'll understand why.

We've quite a few new books in the museum gift shop. From August 13 through the 30th, we're having a special End-of-Summer SALE: 10% off everything in the Shop except t-shirts and fundraiser mugs. Members get a 20% discount. You'll be amazed at what we have—truly something for everyone to READ.

--Susan

SAVE THE DATE for something a little different.

Friday, September 4, with 2 seatings at 6 & 8 PM

Illusionist JOSH FARLEY, as seen on Penn & Teller Fool Us.

An intimate cabaret, with wine & nibbles, mystery & illusion.

Dre and Felix, below, have been tackling the bittersweet vine that is smothering our back yard shrubbery. Not easy.

Saturdays, Sundays, & by appointment year-round

a popular destination for more than two centuries.



Visit Inside NL Harbor 

Pequot Light

Visit Long Island Sound's oldest and tallest 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 about 40 minutes. Sign up today.

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

New London & Groton residents may purchase $5 tickets, thanks to the grant from Veolia - the New London Water Authority!

Explore inside Ledge Lighthouse

The boat leaves from the City Pier in downtown New London, just behind (across the tracks) the NL railroad station. It's a 90-minute round trip including 60 minutes actually inside the lighthouse. Photo: Bob Tellier

Tours leave at the following times:

• Sunday, August 16, 12 noon
• Thursday, August 20, 4pm
• Friday, August 21, 5:30pm
• Saturday, August 29, 11am
• Sunday, August 30, 12 noon
• Saturday, September 5, 4:30pm
• Sunday, September 6, 5pm



New London & Groton residents may purchase $5 tickets, thanks to a grant from Veolia - the New London Water Authority!

Trips are 90-minutes long: 15 minutes out, one hour on the light, and 15 minutes back. Tickets are limited, so reserve your seats HERE today.

Sunday, August 30, 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. 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. $5.

On view through November 1, 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.

Read more about Johanna and the start of this project in an interview about her work in the Marin Independent Journal.

Johanna Case-Hofmeister is a photographer and transdisciplinary artist scholar based in Northern New Mexico. Working at the intersection of art, science, and community-based research, Case-Hofmeister collaborates on convergence research initiatives in

the Arctic alongside scientific researchers and circumpolar coastal communities.

rescheduled -- Saturday, September 19, 11 AM

Sound & Rhythm workshop

Ages 11-14

Join South African producer and musician Sam Nizmela for a high-energy, one-hour rhythm adventure where ordinary household objects become extraordinary instruments. Armed with pots, pans, and plenty of imagination, participants will discover how rhythm can be found almost anywhere.

Let's get it started! Limited to ten participants, ages 11 to 14.

$5, sponsored by NLMS, Advance registration is required.

Sign up today at: https://events.humanitix.com/sound-and-rhythm

We've had loads of visitors: end of summer. Photo, bottom: the US Navy Color Guard dropped by.