New London County Historical Society

Santa at the Shaw
2025-12-07 12:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Join us as we once again welcome Santa in the Long Parlor of the Shaw Mansion! Come meet Santa, snap a photo, and share with him your Christmas wish!
Free and Open to the Public. Refreshments provided.
Sunday, December 7th, 12:30pm-2:30pm

16th Annual Thames River Cruise
2025-10-18 12:30 - 15:00 | Cecelia Ann Cross Sound Ferry, 2 Ferry Street, New London, CT, 06230, United States
Saturday, October 18th 12:30pm-3:00pm
Join the NLCHS as we once again cruise down the Thames River aboard the Cecelia Ann!
Enjoy the fall foliage while singing sea shanties with this year’s musical entertainment, The Jovial Crew! Two complimentary drink tickets included with your ticket purchase, with onboard concessions available for purchase. Bring your family and friends!
Boarding begins at 12:30 from 2 Ferry Street, New London, CT 06320 aboard the Cecelia Ann
Click Here to Purchase Tickets
Thank you to our Generous Sponsors!

New London, The Past is Present: Opening Reception
2025-09-28 16:00 - 19:00 | Thames River Gallery, 239 Bank St, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Join us for a special collaborative exhibit with the Thames River Gallery and the New London Maritime Society Custom House Museum: New London, The Past is Present
Proudly sponsored by

The Burning of New London Pop-Up Boat Tour
2025-09-07 12:15 - 13:45 | Fort Trumbull, 90 Walbach St, New London, 06320, United States
Historical Boat Tour with the Thames River Heritage Park
On September 6th, 1781 Benedict Arnold attacked the city of New London. His goal was to recapture the Hannah, a ship filled with goods valued at 80,000 pounds sterling. During the attack a significant portion of the city burned as Arnold dined with friends.
Join NLCHS executive director, Steve Manuel, for a guided tour up the Thames River as he uncovers the burning of New London by Benedict Arnold. 75 minute boat tour. Departs from Fort Trumbull State Park, New London

Click Here for Tickets

After Hours Director's Tour
2025-05-17 18:30 - 20:30 | CT
Join our executive director, Steve Manuel, for an exclusive, panoramic illumination into the history and treasures of the Shaw Mansion!

Wine & light hors d’oeuvres provided
Attendance is limited to 20 guests. Free & Open to the Public. Donations are welcome!
Please reserve your spot by emailing info@nlchs.org

Marinerfest: A Salute to Sailors, Whalers, Pirates & Privateers
2025-05-17 11:00 - 16:00 | CT
Join us for this family friendly inaugural event filled with maritime music, living historians with pop-up shops, historic site informational tables, & more! Dress as your favorite mariner for our Costume Contest!
Featuring music by Rick Spencer and Dawn Indermuehle. Living history and pop-up shops provided by Big Bear Trading Co & members of the Ye Olde Lebanon Towne Militia. Informational and educational tables by Thames River Heritage Park & Custom House Maritime Museum- New London Maritime Society. Arts & craft projects by Spark Makerspace and Avery-Copp House Museum. Discover whaling artifacts, learn about maritime tools and maritime navigation! The Shaw Mansion exhibit room will be open for viewing.
Free and open to the public. Donations are welcome!
Questions? email info@nlchs.org

155th Annual Meeting
2025-02-27 17:00 - 18:00 | Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Thursday February 27th Shaw Mansion 5pm-6pm

This year our annual meeting will be a review of 2024. We are pleased to receive a bequest from the estate of Edward Murphy. Ed Murphy was an enthusiastic supporter and long-time volunteer and docent of the NLCHS.
The annual meeting is open to the public, and all our members are encouraged to attend. For more information email info@nlchs.org .

Agenda
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes
President’s Report- Ed Chmielewski
Treasurer’s Report- Brian Edmonds
Present Proposed 2025 Budget
Executive Director Report
New Business: Election of Board members and Officers
Motion to Adjourn
Presentation: The Edward Murphy Bequest by Donald Murphy

Seeds of Revolution Lecture Series
2025-01-29 18:00 - 20:00 | CT
In 2026, the United States will commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the country.
It is an opportunity for reflection on the ideals of the nation’s founders and a time to consider the path forward in expanding our realization of those ideals today.
America 250|CT
New London County Historical Society, Lyman Allyn Art Museum and Thames River Heritage Park Foundation are pleased to present the 2025 lecture series – Seeds of Revolution on the Thames and Beyond. Throughout the series events that seeded discontent and revolution along with the social, cultural, political, economic and ecological influences and their impact and influence on life on the Thames and beyond will be explored.

Purchase a series pass and receive one lecture free compliments of Thames River Heritage Park Foundation.
For More information on the entire series and to purchase tickets, Click Here

Santa at the Shaw Mansion
2024-12-08 13:00 - 15:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Bring the family as Santa visits the Shaw Mansion again this year. Santa will arrive Sunday December 8th at 1pm. He is staying with us until 3. Please come and take your picture with Santa.

This event is made possible by a grant from Charter Oak Federal Credit Union.

15th Annual Thames River Cruise
2024-10-19 13:00 - 15:00 | Cecelia Ann Cross Sound Ferry, 2 Ferry Street, New London, CT, 06230, United States
Members $20 Non Members $30
Purchase Tickets
HERE
Our Sponsors
Cross Sound Ferry
Mohegan Sun Casino
Mohegan Tribe
SCIENT FCU
TCORS
Conway, Londregan, Sheehan & Monaco, P.C
Janny Seaport Wealth Management
The Barn

Introducing the Third Edition of The Diary of Joshua Hempstead 1711-1758
2024-09-15 16:00 - 18:00 | Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
The long-awaited newest edition of the Joshua Hempstead diary is now available. Pat Schaefer will speak on the changes and many additions to the diary stemming from a thorough proofreading of the manuscript against the previous printed text. The talk will be held at the Shaw Mansion, with refreshments to follow. It is free and open to the public.
Despite being 17 pages longer than the 1999 edition of the diary, the new edition will be sold at the same price, $75. Besides the added information, it includes an expanded name index.

Washington’s Favorite, The Nation’s Guest: Songs of Lafayette’s Time In America
2024-09-14 14:00 - 17:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States

Benedict Arnold Lecture
2024-09-07 16:00 - 17:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Benedict Arnold was born in Norwich. The son of a sea captain father, and Lathrop mother he was destined for Yale. His alcoholic father impoverished the family and was sent to debtor’s prison. Arnold never made it to Yale. Instead his Lathrop uncles taught him the pharmacy business. Learn how Arnold was impacted by his childhood, and why he turned coat.

Basic Research Class
2024-03-04 09:30 - 11:30 | CT
The class consists of fours sessions, taught by Patricia Schaefer, experienced researcher, and Kim McLean, expert genealogist. It will cover primary and secondary sources and use of the internet.
All sessions meet from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
March 4
March 11
March 18
March 25 Cost $100 Click to Purchase

2024 NLCHS Annual Meeting
2024-02-29 18:00 - 20:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
This year our annual meeting will include a discussion of the updates to the Hempstead Diary. We are pleased to announce our 3rd edition will be available for purchase. This edition includes additional content and an updated index. Pat Schaefer will discuss the changes, and the work she coordinated to get the book published.
The annual meeting is open to the public, and all our members are encouraged to attend.

HMS Resolute Lecture
2024-01-06 15:00 - 16:30 | New London Public Library, 63 Huntington St, New London, 06320, United States
Join our executive director Steve Manuel at the New London Public Library as he discusses the HMS Resolute. Learn about arctic exploration and our history as you discover the role of New London and the President’s desk.

Santa at the Shaw Mansion
2023-12-10 13:30 - 15:30 | Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Santa at the Shaw is a free Event. Parents are encouraged to photograph their family with Santa. for more information email info@nlchs.org

14th Annual Thames River Cruise "Leisure in the Age of Sail"
2023-10-14 12:30 | Cecelia Ann Cross Sound Ferry, 2 Ferry Street, New London, CT, 06230, United States
Join us for a step back in time aboard the Cecilia Ann as we voyage up the Thames river! Become a historical mariner for the afternoon, as we sing sea shanties and hear tales from the sea, while exploring historical maritime entertainment

Purchase Tickets
This year’s cruise will feature Sea Shanties and Storytelling. Craig Edwards and Friends will entertain us as we cruise up the Thames to Norwich and back. We are seeking maritime artists and craftspeople to be part of our vendor fair on the second deck. We hope to showcase the kinds of activities which occupied mariners when not on duty. There is an opportunity to sell your creations. For more information email info@nlchs.org
Our guests will board the Cecelia Ann at 12:30 PM. Lunch will not be provided but there are concessions aboard the boat. Additionally each guest will be given two tickets for a free drink at the concession stand. The Cecelia Ann is completely enclosed so we will go even in the rain.
Craig Edwards :www.fiddlecraig.com
Our Vendors:
We wish to thank our Sponsors
Cross Sound Ferry.

Ancestry Summer Program Exhibit Opening
2023-08-05 11:00 - 13:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
The New London County Historical Society, in partnership with the New London Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, began a summer program to community youth at the Shaw Mansion. Ed Chmielewski said, “Our executive director Steve Manuel began the program 5 years ago, and it has proven to be a success. Our goal is to engage local children in their history and the history of our county. This year our program is about family and ancestry”. The Ancestry program encourages children ages 4-15 to discuss their families and how they came to be in New London county. Working with our educators, the program youth discover and describe their personal history. Together we learn about their family and how their history is a part of the history of our community. “As we explore the families of our students we learn who it is who cares for them. We recognize that all families are unique and we are not simply focusing on genetics and genealogy. We ask our students to describe their lives on their terms, while we talk about our own personal families,” Mr. Chmielewski explained.
The curriculum is designed to be immersive and encourage students to observe and report their findings in a personal journal. Each student may express themselves in a way which makes them feel comfortable, from writing stories, recording facts, or even drawing pictures. Additionally, the program illustrates how the student’s families and their history is important to the history of New London. Using artifacts, documents, maps, and local history stories, the program draws connections to the student’s present day families, and demonstrates how historical family structures were just as complex as they are today.

Annual Meeting
2023-02-16 18:00 - 20:00 | Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Join us on February 16th at 6PM for our Annual Meeting. Those people who are interested in attending via google meet, email annualmeeting@nlchs.org.

Santa at the Shaw Mansion
2022-12-04 13:00 - 15:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States

Sea Shanty Night
2022-11-12 18:00 - 22:00 | The Barn Groton Connectiut, 13 Forth Hill Road, Groton, CT, 06340, United States
LIMITED SEATING!
To learn more about the event performers and venue follow these links!
The Barn
Craig Edwards The Vox Hunters

13th Annual Thames River Cruise
2022-10-15 12:30 - 15:00 | Cecelia Ann Cross Sound Ferry, 2 Ferry Street, New London, CT, 06230, United States
Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Our Sponsors!
With sincere gratitude we at the NLCHS thank all our Sponsors. History is happening now. Businesses and the business owners of our community help shape the collective history in our county. Please consider partnering with the NLCHS to help us continue our mission of preservation, education, and community service. Begin with a HERE with a sponsorship! Our archive chronicles the story that is New London County. You are part of that story and your sponsorship is only the beginning. Email info@nlchs.org if you are interested in working with us in our mission.

Lafayette Sabine Foster Level
Cross Sound Ferry

Mohegan Sun Casino

Mohegan Tribe

Nathaniel Shaw Jr. Level

Henry P. Haven Level
Governor Buckingham Level
Tobin, Carberry, O’Malley, Riley & Selinger

City of Groton, Connecticut

Janney Mongomery Scott Wealth Management

Frances Manwaring Caulkins Level
R&W Heating Energy Solutions LLC
Joshua Hempstead Level
Conway, Londregan, Sheehan, & Monaco
MJ Sullivan Auto
Waterford Group Charitable Foundation

A Child's Life in the 18th Century through Archaeology
2022-08-13 13:00 - 15:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
On August 13th at 1 pm, the New London County Historical Society partnered with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of New London is hosting an opening of its newly installed exhibit, A Child’s Life in the 18th Century through Archaeology. The exhibit was designed and constructed during our annual Summer Museum program by nearly forty local youth ages 5-14. In July, students learned about the diverse history of southeastern Connecticut by participating in an archaeological dig in which they collected, cleaned, researched, and identified artifacts from the Shaw Mansion garden. We invite members of the New London community to join us at the Shaw Mansion for a viewing of the exhibit and an opportunity to meet some of the young historians who created it.
The exhibit features various components that reflect the Summer Museum program. This includes artifacts uncovered in the dig and their historical significance, journals authored by students, and photographs. Each artifact exhibits a significant period of the Shaw Mansion’s history. Animal bones represent the historical wildlife of the area and diet of the individuals who lived at the Shaw Mansion. Pottery and ceramic shards reveal the timeline of luxury items. Artifacts such as charcoal and slag indicate that the Shaw Mansion garden was once used for metal working. At the end of each program session, students recorded their observations and reflected on what they learned in journals provided to them by the NLCHS. The quantity and quality of the information contained in each journal demonstrates the level of learning and retention obtained by the student. Photographs were taken to document the journey and progress of our students’ work.
The opening will include a walk through of the exhibit. Additionally, students and interns will be present to speak about their experiences. Tours of the Shaw Mansion can be given upon request. Light snacks and refreshments will be available. There is no specific dress code. The event will begin at approximately 1 pm on August 13th. For more information, please visit www.nlchs.org or contact the NLCHS at info@nlchs.org or (860) 443-1209.

Pioneers Exhibit Opening
2022-06-18 14:00 - 17:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
On June 18 th at 2 pm, the New London County Historical Society is hosting an opening of
its newly installed permanent exhibit Pioneers: Photographs and Oral Histories of Hispanic
Women in New London County, 1989 by Resurrección Espinosa-Frink. Pioneers was given to the
NLCHS by Ms. Espinosa-Frink to incorporate more minority history representation in our
collection. We invite members of the New London community to join us in the Shaw Mansion
Garden for a viewing of the exhibit along with other activities.
Pioneers is a collection of 15 portraits each with personal stories – transcribed in Spanish
and English – of a Hispanic woman as she resided in New London County in 1989. Three
generations of the same family were interviewed. After viewing the exhibit, Norwich Historian
Dale Plummer said “I found the presentation moving… In capturing the very human, universal
experiences of these pioneers, this exhibit is a must-see.” Today, these stories serve as a measure
of the progress that has been made for Hispanic women. As oral histories, the portraits invite
people to engage in dialogues with the Hispanic community. This helps people come to a better
understanding of one another and resolve societal differences in a peaceful manner. Pioneers has
been on exhibit in several prestigious locations including Yale University, The International
Gallery in Providence, Boston, Connecticut College, and the Centro de la Communidad of New
London. This event is symbolic of the exhibit’s journey back home to New London.
The opening will include short talks from Ms. Espinosa-Frink, CT Humanities Executive
Director Jason Mancini, a guest speaker on oral histories, and New London Hospitality Center
Director Cathy Zall. Additionally, there will be tours of the Shaw Mansion. Light snacks and
refreshments will be available. There is no specific dress code, but we respect people who desire
to represent their heritage by means of their attire to do so. The event will begin at approximately
2 pm on June 18th .

Santa at the Shaw Mansion
2021-12-11 10:00 - 12:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Once again Santa will be visiting the Shaw Mansion. Please bring your kids to see Santa and feel free to take a picture. He will only be with us for 2 hours so plan accordingly. For more information please email info@nlchs.org
We will be handing out free candy canes for all of our visitors. We will not be providing any photographic services.
This event is free and open to the public.

Pirates and Privateers
2021-11-27 14:00 - 16:00 | New London County Historical Society, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States
Often privateers are described as legal pirates. This is an oversimplification of a complex system, and does not take into account motivations of the people who engaged in these activities. Learn the difference between a pirate and privateer, and how these groups of individuals impacted the maritime community. Please RSVP to info@nlchs.org if you plan to attend the discussion. for more information please email info@nlchs.org

Vampires, Costumes, and a Concert
2021-10-30 13:00 - 18:00 | Shaw Mansion, 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT, 06320, United States

12th Annual Thames River Cruise: Witches in Connecticut
2021-10-16 12:30 - 16:00 | CT
Purchase Tickets
Member Non Member
Our Speaker

Concert in the Garden
2021-09-25 13:00 - 15:00 | CT
Concert is postponed to October 30th! A New Event has been created featuring Vampires and FLEET!

Purchase Tickets at the Door!
Parking available in the Municipal Parking lot adjacent to Green Street, and across the street behind the convenience stores.
For more information email info@nlchs.org or call 860.443.1209
