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September 13, 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.
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this Tuesday, September 15, 1:30 pm
JIBBOOM CLUB #1
For September we’ve invited back lighthouse aficionado Colette Driscoll Long. Colette spoke at JIBBOOM in July, but we had technical difficulties and there were no pictures!
Colette has visited many, many lighthouses and recently became VP of NELL: New England Lighthouse Lovers. She will bring us news of NELL’s upcoming events as well as illustrate highlights from her extensive lighthouse travels.
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. |
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The Long Dock
Plans for the conversion of New London’s State Pier to a staging place for offshore wind farms were the subject of dozens of local news reports not so many years ago. These were followed by updates of its construction and finally to its ‘launch’ as a working facility, now the most visible symbol by far of maritime activity in New London harbor.
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Somewhat lost in the flurry of all this news was the fate of the historic railroad pier that was a component of the project — and has now disappeared but for the sturdy granite blocks comprising its west-facing wall. Built by the Central Vermont Railroad in 1876, the pier was the terminus of the line connecting New London with Canada, and for several generations was a lively hub of commerce supporting the CV’s rail and marine operations.
The Long Dock is a concise, attractively illustrated account of this chapter in our history published by the Connecticut Port Authority as ‘mitigation’ for the loss of a structure that was on the National Register of Historic Places as a prime example of 19th century deepwater wharf design. We were pleased to contribute a rare photograph from McGuire Library and to assist the author in other ways.
First published as an ‘eBook,’ the Society has now printed a limited number of copies for sale in the Museum Shop. It may also be seen in its digital version in the library’s online exhibit series.
–Brian Rogers, Online Exhibits
Photos from top: the State Pier last week, a 1924 panorama with the state pier at its center.
We thank Catherine Labadia, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer Staff Archaeologist for granting permission to print this booklet, and to Brian and Carol Rogers and Laurie Deredita for subsidizing this publication. Photo, below: The Long Dock, our new publication. $20 at the Museum Shop.
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This Week at the Custom House
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Between electricians starting on the museum’s new lighting, and general festivities around town, it was a fantastic week at the Custom House.
Dwight Porter was a Coastie stationed at Ledge Lighthouse in 1970-71. He came out on a lighthouse tour a couple of weeks ago.
We often learn a lot from the stories of visiting ex-Coasties — and if we’re really lucky they’ll still have some photos of their time at the light. Dwight sent these pictures, above, which show Ledge’s fresnel lens in 1971, when it was still in place in the Ledge Light lantern room — the lens filled the space! The USCG moved the lens out in the 1980s about the time the lighthouse became automated. It is now on view at the museum.
In the video, at right, Dwight reminiscences about the functioning of the lantern room. We’ll publish more of what Dwight had to say — including about Ernie — in coming e-blasts.
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Major support for NLMS programs comes from
Anthony and Elizabeth Enders Fund – Charter Oak Credit Union – Andy Champagne – Chelsea Groton Foundation – City of New London CDBG – Community Foundation of Eastern CT – Tina Coplan – Capt. John Desjardins – Elevate+ – Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America, N.A. – the estate of William LaRoue – Richard E. and Marjorie E. Rowe Family Fund – Rose and Joe Maco – Louise Novitch – Robinson+Cole – Thomas Sanford – Thames River Gallery – Vanguard Charitable – Veolia/NL Water Authority – Axel Westerberg.
And Last But Not Least – Over 145 individual donors who have donated their time and treasure over the past year to help keep us afloat – Thanks!
The CUSTOM HOUSE MARITIME MUSEUM is open
Thurs. 1 to 5 PM, Fri., 1 to 5 PM,
Sat. 10 AM to 5 PM, Sun. 1 to 5 PM.
150 Bank Street, New London, Connecticut 06430, USA
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For full newsletter, visit nlmaritimesociety.org
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Old Fashioned Hospitality
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AAQ / Resource
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