Hygienic Art Galleries aim is to provide a platform for new as well as established and resident artists. The present location at Bank Street earlier housed Hygienic Restaurant, which shut in 1985. After a lot of community activism, the historic building that was scheduled to be demolished, was saved. Finally, the same opened in the year 2000 and stands as a testimony of successful community development projects and amazing venue for arts. An extended gallery of Hygienic Art called the Carriage House on 35 Golden Street, also showcases some interesting artwork.
The Garde Arts Center in New London is housed in what used to be a movie theater and traditional theater that comfortably seats 1475 guests. Tours of popular Broadway shows make brief stop-overs here, but you can also catch seasonal performances, classical music concerts and children's theater throughout the year.
Established in 1926, this community art museum is a resourceful center to learn about the local culture and art. It was founded by shipping merchant Lyman Allyn's daughter Harriet Upson Allyn. The museum features an extensive collection of paintings, decorative art, and prints spanning a time frame of 5000 years, as well as some contemporary artworks. Its campus is also home to the Deshon-Allyn House, a 19th-century Federal-style listed building that was purchased by Lyman Allyn.
The Customs House in New London was constructed in 1833 and is the oldest continuously-operated customs office in the United States. This building is still a functioning customs building for the city of New London. Another notable feature of this building is that it was designed by Robert Mills, architect of the Washington Monument. The Customs House is today home to the Maritime Museum that offers a glimpse into the town's fascinating history and culture as well as the famous story of La Amistad, a historic schooner. The museum also offers special lighthouse and boat trips, a museum shop, and interesting temporary exhibitions.
One of the best tourist attractions in the state, the USS Nautilus is the world's first nuclear powered submarine and the sub is open for visitors to explore the nooks and crannies of a 1950s sub docked along the Thames River. Marvel at the re-creation of David Bushnell's Turtle, a one-man, torpedo-launching submarine invented during the Revolutionary War; the inventor was from the nearby town of Westbrook. The Submarine Force Museum houses over 30,000 pieces of nautical memorabilia and the museum is actively maintained by the Navy.
The historic nucleus of Groton, this legendary state park lends deep insights into the nuances of the American Revolutionary War. The site is situated along the meandering Thames River, which is the primary waterway in eastern Connecticut. Fort Griswold was a key landmark during the 1781 Battle of Groton Heights, when Benedict Arnold and British troops invaded and burned New London, including what is today Groton; however the Fort was spared when the British took control of it. The historic state park shelters a troupe of many significant monuments, like the Ebenezer Avery House, the Fort Griswold State Park Shot Furnace, the Monument House Museum which interprets the war through exhibits, and the solemn Groton Monument, which is a stirring tribute to those who died guarding the premise. An august reminder of the valiant stride of the Americans, the indelible fort grounds have left a soul-stirring mark on the pages of American history.
The Garde Arts Center in New London is housed in what used to be a movie theater and traditional theater that comfortably seats 1475 guests. Tours of popular Broadway shows make brief stop-overs here, but you can also catch seasonal performances, classical music concerts and children's theater throughout the year.
Situated on the Huntington Street, Public Library of New London, aims at offering free access to books, photographs and other informative material on the history of New London and its people. Featuring a large collection of archives, this library serves as an important landmark and is quiet popular amongst the locals. With an extensive database, its no wonder that this library has managed to attract loads of members. To know more about the collection here, please check their website.
The Flock Theatre in Downtown New London is a small, non-profit theater that is dedicated to bringing together some of the region's best new performers. The program focuses a lot on Shakespeare and children's theater (especially puppetry), but there is surely something for everyone no matter what time of year you visit.