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.
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.
Spend an afternoon with Hempsted staff on the Thames River Heritage Water Taxi to learn about New London's history. This tour explores the stories of a fugitive slave, Revolutionary patriot, Black governors, whalers, the Amistad, and more. See areas related to Hempsted family history, the early Mamacoke settlement, native fishing grounds, and the sites of colonial ferries, Fort Trumbull, and other important landmarks.
Celebrate the power of freedom and community as New Londoners share in the reading of the Declaration of Independence paired with excertps from Frederick Douglass' speech, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"
Spend an afternoon with Hempsted staff on the Thames River Heritage Water Taxi to learn about New London's history. Joshua Hempsted began his diary in 1711 as a way to keep track of his many business activities, court sessions, and travels, as well as ship traffic and many other events important to New London. Join Hempsted Staff on a guided boat tour as we explore trade, slavery, and the Great Awakening through entries from Joshua Hempsted’s Colonial Diary.
Spend an afternoon with Hempsted staff on the Thames River Heritage Water Taxi to learn about New London's history. Joshua Hempsted began his diary in 1711 as a way to keep track of his many business activities, court sessions, and travels, as well as ship traffic and many other events important to New London. Join Hempsted Staff on a guided boat tour as we explore trade, slavery, and the Great Awakening through entries from Joshua Hempsted’s Colonial Diary.
Walking tour of one of New England’s earliest graveyards, with a special focus on those of African descent who are buried there.
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.
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. Advance registration required.
Gather around the campfire for a community conversation on the grounds of the Hempsted Houses to commemorate historic and present-day struggles toward freedom and hear more about the work of Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project.
Gather around the campfire for a community conversation on the grounds of the Hempsted Houses to commemorate historic and present-day struggles toward freedom and hear more about the work of Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project.