Connecticut Open House Day & New London’s Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 11, 2022

The New London Cultural District will offer a free community shuttle service from 11am to 6pm to help visitors enjoy events, historic sites and cultural institutions here in New London on Connecticut Open House Day on Saturday, June 11. The shuttle will run between the Hempstead Houses, the Shaw Mansion, the US Custom House Maritime Museum, Thames River Heritage Park hosting Schooner Amistad and Water Taxi Rides, New London’s Old Town Mill, and the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. Admission to all sites are free on this date (though donations are always welcome).

Also on this day, the New London community will host its annual Juneteenth remembrance and celebration at the Hempsted Houses featuring special guest lecturers, dignitaries, vendors, and activities for all ages. This free program is presented by Connecticut Landmarks in partnership with the New London NAACP. Be sure to explore the newly launched Black Heritage Trail celebrating three centuries of Black strength, resilience, and accomplishment in New London (more info available at visitnewlondon.org/black-heritage-trail).

The Community Shuttle will run on roughly half hour loops from 11am to 6pm stopping at these locations:

New London’s Juneteenth Celebration at The Hempsted Houses
A day of speakers, family activites, music, dance and community festivities commemorating Juneteenth at one of New England’s oldest dwellings.

New London Historic Society at Shaw Mansion

US Custom House Maritime Museum
The Custom House Maritime Museum presents the stories of New London’s waterfront. From the Amistad incident to whaling, local lighthouses to ‘Kids Ahoy’, there’s something for everyone, and a great gift shop, too. Open 10am to 5pm

New London Waterfront Park
La Amistad
The Juneteenth celebration in the City of New London continues with a visit from the Amistad at City Pier. Board the ship and go back in time to 1839 to when the Mende captives from Sierra Leon revolted, took control of the ship, which was towed to New London harbor.

Thames River Water Taxi at City Pier
Take a five dollar harbor ride to historic Fort Trumbull State Park.

Nathan Hale School House
The Connecticut patriot Nathan Hale, taught in this one-room schoolhouse from 1774 to 1775. Open for visits from 11am to 4pm.

New London’s Old Town Mill
Originally built in 1650 by New London’s founder John Winthrop Jr.

Lyman Allyn Art Museum
Enjoy special exhibitions Picturing Mystic: Views of the Connecticut Shoreline, 1890-1950 and the New London High School Student Exhibition, explore the sculpture trail with the new Poetry of the Wild installation sculptures, and view permanent exhibitions. Be sure to express your creativity with Drop-In Drawing in the galleries. Museum open 10am-5pm with free admission for all.