Custom House Maritime Museum Presents Buoy Launch, 9/9

Monday morning, September 9, at 10 AM, Senator Andrea Stillman and Mayor Daryl Finizio of New London are the guests of honor as the New London Maritime Society--Custom House Maritime Museum officially christens two eight-foot, shallow-water, marine buoys just installed Sunday at the Bank Street museum. The event coincides with the start of Connecticut Maritime History and Heritage Week. The Buoy Launch takes place Monday, September 9 at 10 AM in front of the Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank Street, New London.

NLMS particularly wishes to thank trustee Jennifer Hillhouse and her two sons Ken and Mike for their work on behalf of the buoys. Placement of the buoys been a year-long project of Ms Hillhouse, who saw buoys installed at other maritime sites and thought something similar in front the Custom House would make the sober, Greek-revival, granite building look 'more like a museum and less like a bank!' Ms Hillhouse & sons, along with contractor Jon Graziano, oversaw the installation at 8 AM Sunday, September 8,2013.

In addition to the buoy launch, at the event NLMS board president George Sprecace will update the Be Part of Something BIG campaign to restore New London Harbor Light.

Todd Gipstein, president of the Ledge Light Foundation, will announce a new partnership with NLMS to acquire ownership of Ledge Lighthouse.

New London Maritime Society (NLMS) director Susan Tamulevich will review the 2013 Summer of New London Harbor Light -- including the conveyance of Race Rock Lighthouse from the federal government to NLMS, the issuance of a US postage Forever stamp featuring New London's Pequot Lighthouse, receipt of FEMA aid to restore Hurricane Sandy damage at the lighthouse, and 10 weeks of Lighthouse Saturday special events and boat trips. She also will give a glimpse of what's to come at the Custom House Maritime Museum this fall.

NB: Due to the popularity of the lighthouse boat tours this summer,additional lighthouse boat tours have been added on four Saturdays,September 21 through October 12, 2013, at 11 AM, 12 noon, and 1 PM(we'll add more trips, if there is the demand). Sit back and take a fifty-five minute cruise by New London's 'three sisters' -- the harbor lighthouses. This tour includes both the oldest (Pequot New London Harbor) and youngest (Avery Point) lighthouses on Long Island Sound, along with many people's favorite: Ledge Light. The boat takes six passengers, only, per trip. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 children ages 6 to 14 and younger. No children are allowed who are less than 6 years old. All proceeds, beyond boat costs, benefit NLMS Lighthouse Fund. Add in a visit to Pequot Light (by car) - Saturdays, September 21 through October 12, 2013, at 12:15 PM. Visit and climb New London Harbor Light's 119 steps up to the lantern. The 1/2 hour tour is FREE to same-day purchasers of boat tours, and $25 for all others. Call 860-447-2501 for reservations.

NLMS thanks the many volunteers, who donated both their time and materials to the buoy effort: Odd Brevik (New England Pump & Valve), USCG Chief Raymond Casher, Mark Ferriera (GSA), Robert Getman, Jon Graziano, Ned Hammond & the New London Facade Committee, Jeff Hedberg (Sherwin Williams), Ken Hillhouse, Mike Hillhouse, USCG Senior Chief Mary Kathleen McSweeney, Daniel Miller, Ray Miller & staff (USCG buoy depot, South Weymouth, MA), James Salmon (City of New London Building Inspector), Senator Andrea Stillman, Jamie Taft (Pittsburgh Paint), Bob Thomas (Ring's End Paint), and--most of all--Jennifer Hillhouse, NLMS trustee and leader of this project.

The New London Maritime Society - Custom House Maritime Museum, which now owns both Pequot and Race Rock Lights, currently is developing an exhibition about area lighthouses and other Aids to Navigation; among these 'other aids' are beacons, light ships, fog horns and buoys. In fact, in the mid-20th century, New London's Custom House Pier was home to the USCG buoy tender Redwood, which kept dozens of assorted buoys stacked out behind the Custom House on the pier.

The September 9 buoy-christening event is part of New London Maritime Society's 30th Anniversary Celebration; it also marks the official launch of the museum's 2013 Fall Season.