New London Maritime Society Celebrates 30th Anniversary Today

Three decades ago, the New London Maritime Society (NLMS) was established to keep New London's 1833 U.S. custom house within an organization dedicated to preserving the history of maritime New London: the Custom House Maritime Museum. Help mark a significant milestone and learn of our plans for the year ahead as NLMS celebrates its 30th Anniversary today, November 10. Tickets are $35. The Annual Meeting begins at 2 PM, Dinner & the Program commence at 2:30 PM. The event will be held at the Port 'N Starboard, Ocean Beach Park. Call 860-447-2501 to make your reservation, ASAP.

The guest speaker is Tom Andersen, author of This Fine Piece of Water - An Environmental History of Long Island Sound, who will talk about the 400th anniversary of Adriaen Block's mapping of Long Island Sound. Tom will tell of the exploration of this region in 1614 by Block and his fellow Dutch sailors. He'll also help launch the New London Maritime Society's year-long celebration of Long Island Sound in 2014. Hear about where NLMS has been and what's ahead. There will be some surprises, too!

The Maritime Society's goal is to preserve not just the stories but the whole of our maritime resources within the framework of a national maritime heritage park. And we're already at work! In cooperation with City of New London, the state of Connecticut, Senator Blumenthal's office, and shoreline history and conservation organizations, we have begun planning for a park that encompasses activities along the shoreline, across three states, with the City of New London as Connecticut's hub. We believe this group effort to organize geographically will enhance our mission of preserving the true essence of maritime New London. The idea is to look out across the waters of Long Island Sound and partner with groups along the shoreline: conservationists, historians, boaters, commerciAl Fishermen, residents, with the hope of creating a larger mutually-supportive entity.

Recently, for the first time in more than 200 years, and for one time only, the federal government began divesting itself of its--our--historic lighthouses. Because preserving the region's maritime history is our mission, we rose to the challenge; if not us, who would step forward to preserve these sites for future generations?

In 2010, the New London Maritime Society adopted the city's Harbor Lighthouse. And just two months ago, we took ownership of a second lighthouse: Race Rock. Now, in partnership with the Ledge Light Foundation, we are applying for a third-and final-property: New London Ledge Light.

For more information, visit nlmaritimesociety.org.

The Custom House Maritime Museum - open year-round - telling the stories of New London's waterfront! The Custom House Maritime Museum is always FREE for current members and children under age 18 (with adult). A $5 donation is asked for all others. April through December, we're open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday), from 1-5 PM, & by appointment - call: 860-447-2501, fax: 860-447-8086, email: nlmaritimedirector@gmail.com. January through March, we're open Thursday through Sunday, from 1-5 PM, & by appointment; call: 860-447-2501, fax: 860-447-8086, email: nlmaritimedirector@gmail.com.

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