New London Maritime Society Launches 2012 Annual Fund

This week, the New London Maritime Society launches its 2012 Annual Fund. In anticipation of 2013, the Society's 30th--Pearl--Anniversary, the Society selected an ambitions fundraising goal of $30,000. Last year's equally ambitious goal of $25,000 was, in fact, surpassed, with contributions totaling more than $27,000. Donors are encouraged to contact the Society through the Custom House Maritime Museum, 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320, by phone at 860-447-2501, or on the museum's website at www.nlmaritimesociety.org.

The New London Maritime Society works year-round to bring the region's maritime heritage to life. Exhibitions at the Custom House in 2012 included Anne Kubitsky's Look for the Good Project, Sgott MacKenzie's Further Adventures of the Giant Squid and the Seagull, Mark Shasha's Moonjellies and Daydreams, Kevin Farrar's Very Fast Boat, a display of David McCollough's Trimarian, and A Celebration of the Art & Life of Robert Hauschild - paintings from the collection of Margaret Palmer. The Society's Frank L McGuire Library is available for maritime research by appointment, and this summer mounted an exhibition about the War of 1812 in New London based on the archives of local historian Robert Bachman. The museum also partnered with area historical groups in planning The Rocket's Red Glare, the War of 1812 in Southeastern Connecticut, which has been on view this year at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum.

In addition to museum programs, other NLMS 2012 activities included Lighthouse Kids, a partnership with the New London Public Schools; stewardship of New London's 1833 US Custom House and New London Harbor Light; an unsuccessful preservation effort to keep Little Gull Island under public stewardship, summer Sentinels on the Sound Lighthouse Weekends and boat trips; a temporary Pop-up Gallery on Bank Street and a special exhibition in New London's Union Railway Station; monthly Jibboom Club Gams for seniors, and education programs for students and home-schoolers. This summer, the museum proudly dedicated the Archibald J. Chester, Jr. Reading Room to honor the many donations of Archie Chester of Groton.

Contributions to the NLMS Annual Fund provide the essential day-to-day support for these programs and more.

New London Maritime Society (NLMS) is New London's independent, community museum -- a cultural anchor in downtown New London. Donations are 100% tax deductible. The New London Maritime Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, tax ID #06-10866688,

TRUSTEES:George Sprecace, President/Board Chairman, Robert A. Pittaway - Vice President, Alan Lyon - Treasurer, Alma Peterson - Secretary, Benjamin Martin - President Emeritus, Lonnie Braxton, II, Esq., RADM A.M. Danielsen, Russell DeMarco, John Desjardins, R.N., B.S.N., James Fleishell, Robert Groves, Jennifer Hillhouse, Lee Jewitt, John S. Johnson, William LaRoue, PhD., Carolyn Leuze, Morgan McGinley, George H. White. HONORARY TRUSTEES: Vincentia Belbruno, David Bish op, Fred Calabretta, Nicholas DeGange, Elizabeth Enders, Nick Hanke, Alice Houston, Kathleen Jacey, James C. McGuire, Esq., Louise D. Pittaway, Frank Racette, Richard Salews, Sarah Steffian, Robert Stewart, Greg Stone, Susan Strahn, James Streeter, Frederick N. Voight, AIA. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Susan Tamulevich, LIBRARIAN: Brian Rogers.

The New London Maritime Society's mission is to preserve and promote the maritime history of the City of New London, it's people, its port, the Thames River, and Long Island Sound; and to maintain and preserve two building that embody this maritime heritage: the New London Custom House and New London Harbor Light--the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Long Island Sound, which the Society 'adopted' in 2010.