Historical Sites
Avery-Copp House

  • 154 Thames Street  Groton, CT  06340
  • The Avery Copp House, built c.1800 on the banks of the Thames River in Groton, CT
  • Lived in by generation after generation of the same family for 200 years.
  • Objects and artifacts within tell the story of life in this lively Groton neighborhood from just after the Revolutionary War through the Victorian era, the age of industrialization, mass immigration, the Great Depression, and the years of both World Wars.
  • Located on three acres of terraced grounds overlooking the river, with Victorian gazebos and a carriage house.
  • Open May – October; please call (860) 445-1637 for hours.
  • We are happy to schedule group tours and winter visits by request.

Captain Nathaniel Palmer House

  • 40 Palmer Street, Stonington, CT 06378
  • An historic house museum just outside Stonington boro off Route 1A
  • 16 room Victorian mansion built in 1852 by Captain Nathaniel Brown Palmer and his brother Alexander Smith Palmer
  • Majestically sited on a high rise of ground over looking the upper end of Stonington harbor
  • From its octagonal cupola the family could identify ships arriving from distant ports.
  • (860) 535-8445

Custom House Maritime Museum

  • 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320
  • Housed in a handsome, federal-style building, complete with vaulted ceilings, a flying staircase, heart-of-pine floors, and front doors made of wooden planks salvaged during the 1830 restoration of Old Ironsides, the Custom House Maritime Museum tells the story about New London's three century long connection to the sea through exhibits, educational programs, a Maritime Lecture Series, and the Frank McGuire Maritime Research Library. As a bonus, the government still maintains an active Customs Office on the top floor, making this Custom House, built in 1833 by Robert Mills, the oldest continuously operating Custom House in America. Maritime history & lighthouse gifts and postcards available in our Museum Store.
  • For more information, call us at (860) 447-2501

Denison Society & The Denison Homestead Museum

  • 120 Pequotsepos Road     P.O.Box 42   Mystic, CT 06355
  • Built in 1717, the Denison Homestead is the third house to be constructed on 200 acres of land granted to Captain George Denison in 1654
  • It is believed to be one of the few homes in this country to be continuously owned by the same family.
  • It currently houses the society’s offices and the Dension Homestead Museum.
  • Each of its five main rooms represents a different period of history in America and of the Denison family who lived in the house during that period of history.
  • The Homestead is open from mid-May to mid-October.

Florence Griswold Museum  (Lyme Historical Society)

  • 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT 06371
  • The Florence Griswold Museum encompasses eleven acres along the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme, Connecticut.  In addition to the recently renovated 1817 Griswold House, where the artists of the Lyme Art Colony lived, the Museum features a modern riverfront gallery, education center, historic gardens, and a restored artist studio.
  • The Museum is located at 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, exit 70 off I-95
  • It is open year round Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1-5pm.
  • Admission: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors & students, $4 for children 6 to 12, & free to children under 6.
  • For additional information contact the Museum at 860-434-5542

Hempstead Houses

  • Intersection of Hempstead & Jay Streets, New London, CT 06320
  • The Joshua Hempsted House is the oldest house in New London and one of the few remaining 17th century houses in the state.
  • On the same site is the Nathaniel Hempsted House (1758.)
  • Open Mid May to Mid October from Thursday to Sunday 12 to 4 pm.
  • (860) 443-7949

Indian & Colonial Research Center

  • 39 Main Street, Old Mystic, CT 06372
  • Housed in the 1856 Mystic River National Bank building, the I.C.R.C. was founded in 1965 to house, preserve and make accessible the collections and research material of Eva L. Butler.
  • Research focus is on Colonial American history, Native American topics and genealogy.
  • The I.C.R.C. is on the state of Connecticut's list of authorized genealogical societies, allowing our members to research vital records newer than 100 years old.
  • The I.C.R.C. is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 2 P.M. to 4 P.M., April through November, and by appointment.

Jabez Smith House

  • 259 North Road, Rte 117, Groton, CT 06340
  • Excellent example of 18th century domestic architecture with its 1 1/2 story, gable-roof structure & central brick chimney
  • Built in 1783 on the site of one of Groton's earliest settlements
  • Was occupied by Smith descendants until 1980
  • On the National Register of Historic Places
  • Is owned and maintained by the Town of Groton
  • Phone (860) 445-6689

Monte Cristo Cottage

  • 325 Pequot Avenue, New London, CT  06320
  • Owned and operated by the Eugene O'Neill Theater situated in New London
  • Boyhood home of Eugene O'Neill and the setting for two of his most notable works: AH Wilderness! and Long Day's Journey Into Night
  • The only permanent home of O'Neill from his birth in 1888 until 1917 when he began supporting himself as a playwrite
  • (860) 443-5378 X 227

Nathan Hale Schoolhouse (operated by Sons of the American Revolution)

  • 36 Meridian Street, New London, CT 06320
  • Nathan Hale taught in the schoolhouse from 1774-1775 when the Revolutionary War started
  • He joined the army and was commissioned as First Lieutenant in the Seventh Connecticut regiment and executed in New York on September 22, 1776 as a spy
  • Hale is credited with saying "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
  • Open to the public on weekends during summer
  • contact info: The CT Society of the Sons of the American Revolution P.O. Box 411, East Haddam, CT 06423
  • Phone (860) 444-6771

Old Lighthouse Museum

  • 7 Water Street Stonington, CT 06378 (Stonington Village)
  • The lighthouse was once the beacon for the many vessels approaching Stonington's harbor from L.I. Sound.
  • In 1840 the original structure was dismantled and the materials used to build a new tower and keepers dwelling on the present site.
  • The Lighthouse has been owned and operated by the Stonington Historical Society since 1927.
  • It is open 10 to 5 from May 1 to Oct. 31.
  • (860) 535-1440

Portersville Academy  (Mystic River Historical Society, Inc.)

  • Mystic, CT 06355
  • MRHS was founded in 1973 to preserve and promote the historical traditions of the greater Mystic area.
  • The Society owns two buildings: Portersville Academy, a schoolhouse built in 1839, and the William A. Downes Building which houses most of our collections.
  • As a community organization, the MRHS relies on volunteers to create
  monthly lectures, walking tours, appraisal days, house tours, and
  other popular events.
  • We actively collect and store books, papers, and photographs pertaining to the Mystic River area, and make our collection available for researchers.
  • The Society is not related to the Mystic Historic District Commission.

Shaw Mansion  home of New London County Historical Society, Inc.

  • 11 Blinman Street, New London, CT 06320
  • During the Revolutionary War the house was visited by George Washington, General Nathanial Greene, and Commander of the Navy Ezek Hopkins; and later, by the Marquis de Lafayette.
  • Naval Office for CT during the American Revolution, the building was also home to Nathaniel Shaw, Naval Agent for CT.
  • Exhibit on Privateering and Benedict Arnold's raid on New London.
  • Guided tours available. Extensive research library. Open year-round.

Smith Harris House Museum

  • 33 Society Road, Niantic, CT 06357
  • Greek Revival Style House serving as the East Lyme Town Museum
  • Furnished in the mode of middle 19th century living
  • Special Annual Events
  • Heritage Weekend in early October
  • Wassail Party in December
  • Spring Tea in May
  • Open June to August, Friday to Sunday- 12 noon to 4 pm
  • Phone number 860-739-0761

Thomas Lee House

  • Route 156, Niantic, CT 06357
  • Thomas Lee House (c1660) was purchased by the Historical Society in 1914.
  • It is one of the oldest wood frame houses in Connecticut still in its primitive state.
  • As it stands today, furnished, aged and weather-beaten, shaded by tall, graceful Locust trees, it is a picturesque and interesting salt-box structure.
  • Open for guided tours daily - except Mondays - from 1 to 4 pm, from late June until Labor Day, or by appointment.
  • Call (860) 739-6070 for further information.
Old Lighthouse Museum
Florence Griswold Museum
Hempstead Houses
Portersville Academy
New London County Historical Society
Custom House Maritime Museum
Denison Homestead Museum
Palmer House
Jabez Smith House
Indian & Colonial Research Center
Thomas Lee House
Smith Harris House