We're open Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 5 PM, Saturday from 10 AM. Call 860-447-2501 or email.
The Frank L. McGuire Library is open by appointment, email.
Admission: FREE for current members, individuals with current military or USCG cadet ID
Admission $10. Youth to age 16 - $6. Families $25. Group tour admission is $6 per visitor.
New London's Custom House Maritime Museum!
NLMS librarian Laurie Deredita's annotated 1874 map of the New London waterfront. Laurie Deredita, librarian of the New London Maritime Society's Frank L. McGuire Library, has researched the owners along the New London waterfront, who were named on an 1874 railroad planning map.
third Tuesday of the month -- March 17, April 28 1:30 PM
JIBBOOM CLUB #1
Jibboom is not a 'club', but a friendly gathering with a speaker and refreshments. Please come and bring a friend.
FREE -- generously sponsored for another year by Rose & Joe Maco!
There is no Jibboom in Jan. or Feb.
2026 exhibitions
Seals & Society -- January 24- March 22, 2026
Greg Shea Tintypes -- through May 1, 2026. In conjunction with the exhibition, Greg will schedule a day to create custom tintype portraits, watch for details.
last Sunday of the month, 6 to 9 pm
OPEN MIC at the MUSEUM
Open Mic at the Museum meets from 6-9 PM the last Sunday of the month. Share your original music, poetry, prose, stand-up, or just say what’s on your mind. Hosted by Kenny 'Doc' Frasier.
$5 donation.
Some dates to put in your calendar for 2026.
22–25 April 2026: Council of American Maritime Museums Annual Conference Mystic Seaport, CT. 27–31 May 2026: NASOH Annual Meeting, New Haven, CT.
last Sunday of the month: February 22--CANCELED, March 29, April 28, 6-9 PM
Open Mic at the Museum
Our monthly Open Mic is all about good vibes and real connection. Hosted by Kenny 'Doc' Frasier, it’s a welcoming space for music, poetry, prose, stand-up—or just saying what’s on your mind.
This is a laid-back, live show where anyone can show up and share a few minutes on the mic. Try out new material, build your confidence, or just soak in the energy—it’s all fair game. And there are cookies!
All ages, all abilities are welcome—come for the creativity, stay for the camaraderie. $5.
third Tuesday of the month -- Tuesdays, March 17, April 28, 1:30 PM There are no JIBBOOMS in January & February.
JIBBOOM CLUB #1
Jibboom is not a 'club', but a friendly gathering with a speaker and refreshments. Please come and bring a friend.
FREE -- generously sponsored for another year by Rose & Joe Maco!
Join NLMS librarian Brian Rogers and NLMS friend and donor Rick Bloeser to learn about steamships in New London. Brian will draw upon his online steamship exhibition. Rick will tell the story of his recent donation to NLMS -- the Poseidon glass.
Friday, May 1, 6pm
Greg Shea - Artist's Talk
Artist Greg Shea will be at the Custom House Friday, May 1 to discuss his current exhibition, Lasting Light: Contemporary Tintypes by Greg Shea, and to expound on the process he used to create these portraits. It's a fascinating talk for anyone with an interest in photography. Greg's exhibition is on view through May 2, 2025.
Greg's talk is FREE and open to the public.
See you this Friday, May 1, at 6!
Saturday, May 2, 10am-5pm
Schedule Your Tintype Portrait with Greg Shea
Sign up NOW! Sit for a portrait on your own, with family, or with someone special. Each tintype is handcrafted and entirely one of a kind—an unforgettable keepsake that, with proper care, can last for generations. Book your session today.
Greg Shea and his portable studio will be at the Custom House on May 2. Sessions are 20 minutes. Appointments are available from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The last two portrait days sold out, so we encourage you to reserve early.
Reserve your spot here: https://events.humanitix.com/your-tintype-portrait. A portion of proceeds will support the museum.
on view through May 2
Community Collections -- Bernice Moore: Small Ships
Bernice Lorraine Moore (1904-1996) loved her collection of miniature ships, which always hung in a small glass case on a wall in her living room. Bernice worked as an overnight operator for The Bell Telephone Company for much of her life -- every evening she caught the bus to her work in New Haven just before dinnertime; she returned home in the early morning and went off to bed.