Spend an afternoon with Hempsted staff on the Thames River Heritage Water Taxi to learn about New London's history. This tour will explore the stories of a fugitive slave, Black Revolutionary Patriots, Black Governors and Whalers, the Amistad and more.
Cruise along the Thames River and hear about sites along the Thames that sparked authors' imaginations to write their stories. Explore books that tell the tales of the people and events that inspired them like Night of the Moonjelllies, Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road, For Adam's Sake: A Family Saga in Colonial New England; Diary of Joshua Hempsted, Morton F. Plant and the Connecticut Shoreline, Venture Smith: The First Slave Narrative, Jordan Freedman Was My Friend, and Ice Diaries - the incredible true story of Capt. William R. Anderson and his crew's harrowing top-secret mission aboard the USS Nautilus, and more. As these authors attest by their writing, the Thames truly is one river with a thousand stories.
Spend an afternoon with Hempsted staff on the Thames River Heritage Water Taxi to learn about New London's history. This tour will explore the stories of a fugitive slave, Black Revolutionary Patriots, Black Governors and Whalers, the Amistad and more.
Cruise along the Thames River and hear about sites along the Thames that sparked authors' imaginations to write their stories. Explore books that tell the tales of the people and events that inspired them like Night of the Moonjelllies, Love and Brutality: The Mysterious Saga of Gallows Road, For Adam's Sake: A Family Saga in Colonial New England; Diary of Joshua Hempsted, Morton F. Plant and the Connecticut Shoreline, Venture Smith: The First Slave Narrative, Jordan Freedman Was My Friend, and Ice Diaries - the incredible true story of Capt. William R. Anderson and his crew's harrowing top-secret mission aboard the USS Nautilus, and more. As these authors attest by their writing, the Thames truly is one river with a thousand stories.
Joshua Hempsted held many positions throughout his lifetime, one of which was headstone letterer. On Wednesday, December 27th, 1749, our diarist writes, “fair & cold I finisht engraving a headstone for Samll Bills wife.” Join headstone carver Andrew Carr as he re-creates a headstone using Joshua’s lettering style with 18th–century carving techniques. A tour of the house is included with admission.
Walking tour of one of New England’s earliest graveyards, with a special focus on those of African descent who are buried there.
Join Connecticut Landmarks for a Juneteenth celebration with the City of New London, highlighting the African American history of the Hempsted Houses and the surrounding New London neighborhood, with partners.
New London joins cities worldwide on the longest day of the year to celebrate the annual Make Music Day. This event is open to all audiences and will have a special focus on African American music, such as freedom songs, songs to support justice, songs for protection, as well as songs of praise.
Join us for a conversation regarding housing in the Black communities of New London and surrounding towns. Our panel will share stories from their youth in New London County and the state of minority housing during their teenage and young adult years. We will discuss how housing changed from adolescence through adulthood, and where they think things went wrong. How can we work in partnership with our communities to fix these issues?
Pirates are back for 2025! Come out and explore an encampment where you’ll experience the life of a pirate. Stay for ship making, racing, crafts, and walking the plank like a pirate! Spend some time listening to stories of real-life pirates like Captain Kidd who visited Connecticut in 1690 and is said to have left behind treasure near modern day Milford, CT.
Pirates are back for 2025! Come out and explore an encampment where you’ll experience the life of a pirate. Stay for ship making, racing, crafts, and walking the plank like a pirate! Spend some time listening to stories of real-life pirates like Captain Kidd who visited Connecticut in 1690 and is said to have left behind treasure near modern day Milford, CT.
Join staff for a journey through colonial New London. Visit sites that our diarist frequented, including those of Joshua Hempsted’s relatives, and view the Stonington Farm property from across the river. As we stop at local destinations on our way back to the Hempsted Houses, you will hear about Adam Jackson, who Joshua Hempsted enslaved on the property. Visitors will also learn about Jackson’s family, including his parents, Joan and John Jackson, and their three decade long court case to free their nine children.
Walking tour of one of New England’s earliest graveyards, with a special focus on those of African descent who are buried there.
Join us for a walking tour of the Hempstead Historic District, one of New London’s first African-American neighborhoods. Hear the stories of the people who lived in this neighborhood and explore how this diverse area evolved. The neighborhood grew up around the Joshua Hempsted House, built in 1678. Residents have included slaveholders, civic leaders, abolitionists, a Revolutionary War hero, and at least two enslaved people. Offered in collaboration with Thames River Heritage Park. Advance registration required.
Get into the spirit of the season & meet the ghosts of New Londoners who have ghoulish stories to tell – hear their tales & talk with them if you dare! Experience the city's oldest house at twilight & make s’mores over an open fire.