Custom House Maritime Museum: Visiting New London's Waterfront Museum

The Custom House Maritime Museum interprets New London’s maritime history through objects and stories connected to local lighthouses, U.S. Customs and the Amistad. Its subjects also include whaling, sailors’ knots and New London Harbor, alongside changing exhibitions.

The New London Maritime Society established the museum to preserve the U.S. Custom House and give it a new role as a museum. That connection between the building and the city’s maritime past makes the site itself part of the visit, not just a setting for the exhibits.

If you’re planning to pair museum time with a performance, the Garde Arts Center guide covers another New London stop. For a separate outdoor history visit, see the guide to Fort Trumbull State Park.

The New London U.S. Custom House dates to 1833 and was designed by architect Robert Mills, whose other work includes the Washington Monument. The museum’s collections connect the building’s former customs role with the wider history of the harbor and the people who worked on or traveled by sea.

Expect subjects rather than a single narrow storyline: local lighthouses, customs, the Amistad, whaling and practical maritime knowledge such as sailors’ knots all feature in the museum’s interpretation. Changing exhibitions add another strand, so the specific displays can vary.

The museum also offers a closer look at the Custom House itself. A guided building tour can travel from the attic to the sub-basement, but it must be arranged by appointment. If that interests you, contact the museum before planning your visit.

The museum describes itself as open year-round from Thursday through Sunday, generally from 1 to 5 PM, with Saturday hours starting at 10 AM. Saturday hours are listed as 10 AM to 5 PM. Visits by appointment are also listed.

General admission is listed as $10, with youth admission through age 16 at $6 and family admission at $25. Group-tour admission is listed at $6 per visitor. The museum’s pages give different age rules for free admission, so confirm the applicable policy directly rather than assuming a child’s admission category.

The Custom House building tour costs $15 per visitor and is available by appointment. Groups can arrange museum tours in advance by email or phone; school groups may request hours from 9 AM to 1 PM.

The museum also arranges New London Harbor Lighthouse tours on request, year-round, daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Groups of up to five can go inside the lantern. Listed prices are $30, $25 for members and $15 for youth through age 18.

For disability accommodations, contact the museum in advance. The Lower Level and ship model gallery are accessible, and an accessible restroom is available.

You’ll find the museum at 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320. It’s about a 10-minute drive from Hilltop Express Inn, and the museum describes itself as a short walk from New London’s railroad, bus and ferry transportation hub.

The museum’s phone number is 860-447-2501. Before you go, check the official site for current hours, admission details and tour arrangements.

Hilltop Express Inn is one option for your stay while you visit the area.