New London History Aboard the Thames River Water Taxi

An afternoon tour on the Thames River Heritage Water Taxi led by Hempsted staff showing the New London history. Tour will highlight areas related to Hempsted family history, the early Mamacoke settlement & Native fishing grounds, sites of colonial ferries, Fort Trumbull & other important landmarks. 

Sat., June 19, 2:30 – 3:45 pm
Sun., July 11, 4:30 – 5:45 pm
Sun., Aug. 7, 2:30 – 3:45 pm
Sat., Aug. 28, 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Sat., Sept. 18, 1 – 2:15 pm
White Sails, Black Hands: The African American Experience on CT Waters
Beginning in 1639 when the first enslaved person arrived in Connecticut, the number of persons of color steadily increased in New London County. Every town in New London County had a significant percent of African Americans and people of mixed race living and working in them, however, their stories are not always told. This tour will explore the stories of a fugitive slave, Black Revolutionary Patriots, Black Governors and Whalers, the Amistad and more. Admission is $25 per person, $12 for children 12 & under. Registration required at https://www.thamesriverheritagepark.org/boat-tours.

Sat., July 17, 4:30 – 5:45 pm
Stories Based on a Colonial Diary
Joshua Hempsted began his diary in 1711 as a way to keep track of his many business activities, court sessions, ship traffic, his travels, and many other events important to New London or Connecticut. He keep the diary until just before his death in 1758. In its printed form, it is about 700 pages long. The diary has been used to study such diverse subjects as trade with the West Indies, slavery, and the Great Awakening, a period of evangelical Protestant revival. It is also used extensively for genealogical research. This tour will cover some of the diary stories told about activities around the Thames River and other interesting sites along the way. Admission is $25 per person, $12 for children 12 & under. Registration required at https://www.thamesriverheritagepark.org/boat-tours.