Historic Stonington

Music at the Lighthouse with Salt Marsh Opera
2022-07-10 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | CT

127th Annual Meeting
2022-07-17 16:00 - 18:00 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
The Board of Directors of the Stonington Historical Society invites you to the 127th Annual Meeting on Sunday, July 17 at 4pm at the La Grua Center in Stonington.

A lecture by Nathaniel Philbrick, a prolific author of history books and a winner of the National Book Award, will begin at 4pm, following a short, members business meeting. A reception will follow.

REGISTRATION HAS ENDED. Thanks so much!

History of Portuguese Fishing in Stonington
2022-07-27 18:00 - 19:30 | CT
Join us for Fred Calabretta’s presentation, Stonington’s Portuguese Fishermen, on July 27th at 6pm at the La Grua Center! This project draws extensively from Mystic Seaport’s 1990s Stonington Fishing oral history project. Sharing details mined from interviews with fishermen and their family members, Fred will describe the extensive involvement of Portuguese families in the town’s fishing industry. He will also share details about fishing, family life, and traditions. Let’s get hooked on history!
Event is free to attend.
About the Speaker

Fred Calabretta retired last year from his position as Director of Collections Management and Senior Curator at Mystic Seaport Museum.

For 40 years he worked closely with the Museum’s remarkable collections of artifacts, art, and photographs. Fred is also an oral historian and has conducted hundreds of oral history interviews and taught oral history workshops in 20 states.

In the early 1990s he developed and managed Mystic Seaport’s Stonington Fishing Oral History Project, which will provide the foundation for his July 27th presentation focusing on the Portuguese fishermen of Stonington.

Helen's African Journey: Book Talk with Judy duPont
2022-08-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Captain Palmer House
Join local author Judith duPont Wednesday, August 10th at 6pm in the Captain Palmer House, to hear about her newest publication Helen’s African Journey. duPont’s mother took a trip to Africa as a single woman, alone, in 1934. This book recounts her adventure from diaries, photographs and personal stories collected by her daughter. Judy is also the author of Murder at Darling Hill.
This event is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required but space is limited.

Make Your Own Seascapes!
2022-08-20 10:00 - 12:00 | The Old Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Alongside the Mystic Museum of Art, we’re excited to offer a free, Intergenerational family program at the Lighthouse Museum in Stonington on
Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21 – Drop in any time between 10 am – 12 pm!
Artists have used the sea to inspire their creations throughout history. Come participate in this tradition and create your own Seascape based on the spectacular view of Stonington’s harbor, Connecticut’s only port facing the Atlantic. Using collage materials to include decorative papers, and other assorted multi-media for added detail, children with their families will create hand-made postcards inspired by the views from Stonington’s iconic lighthouse.
After the program, families will have the option of exploring the lighthouse and take in Stonington’s rich seafaring history. Families are also invited to picnic on the grassy lighthouse grounds that faces Little Narragansett Bay toward Watch Hill and Napatree Point in Rhode Island.
This site-specific program will take place outside of the Lighthouse Museum in Stonington at 7 Water Street.Program is free. Children of all ages and their families are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a family member or adult for the program.
Space is limited, so we ask families to pre-register using the form below!

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Make Your Own Seascapes!
2022-08-21 10:00 - 12:00 | The Old Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Alongside the Mystic Museum of Art, we’re excited to offer a free, Intergenerational family program at the Lighthouse Museum in Stonington on
Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21 – Drop in any time between 10 am – 12 pm!
Artists have used the sea to inspire their creations throughout history. Come participate in this tradition and create your own Seascape based on the spectacular view of Stonington’s harbor, Connecticut’s only port facing the Atlantic. Using collage materials to include decorative papers, and other assorted multi-media for added detail, children with their families will create hand-made postcards inspired by the views from Stonington’s iconic lighthouse.
After the program, families will have the option of exploring the lighthouse and take in Stonington’s rich seafaring history. Families are also invited to picnic on the grassy lighthouse grounds that faces Little Narragansett Bay toward Watch Hill and Napatree Point in Rhode Island.
This site-specific program will take place outside of the Lighthouse Museum in Stonington at 7 Water Street.
The program will be led by artist Mary Farrell from the Mystic Museum of Art.
Program is free. Children of all ages and their families are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a family member or adult for the program.
Space is limited, so we ask families to pre-register using the form below!

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Mystic River Bridge: Past and Present
2022-09-01 18:00 - 19:30 | CT
Join us at 6pm at the Harvey Chase VFW in Pawcatuck to learn about one hundred years of history in relation to the Mystic Bascule Bridge, hosted by Jim Streeter. This event is free and open to the public.

The Sewing Girl's Tale with John Wood Sweet
2022-09-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Saltwater Farm Vineyard, 349 Elm Street, Stonington, 06378, United States
Join the Stonington Historical Society and author John Wood Sweet for a discussion of “The Sewing Girl’s Tale,” a work that the New York Times calls “Sweet’s excellent and absorbing work of social and cultural history.” Sweet explores the first known criminal rape trial in America and the first known time a seduction suit was used for redress in New York after a rape trial, and it worked; the jury awarded staggering punitive damages — 1,800 pounds, or $4,500 —. Truly relevant to our times, this case was cited several times by Justice Alito in the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade. This program takes place at the Saltwater Farm Vineyard 349 Elm Street in Stonington. Wine will be available for purchase.

Liquor & Temperance in the Borough with Stuart Vyse
2022-09-14 08:00 - 17:00 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join us at 6pm on Wednesday, October 19th at the LaGrua Center to hear local author Stuart Vyse, discuss his research into the Steamboat Hotel, and liquor and temperance in the Borough of Stonington before Prohibition. Copies of his new publication Stonington’s Steamboat Hotel will be available for purchase and signing. This event is free and open to the public.

Regional History Fair at Westerly Public Library
2022-09-14 17:30 - 19:30 | Westerly Public Library, 44 Broad Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
This public event will showcase the numerous historical societies and museums in the region and will allow a unique opportunity for the public to meet and greet members of these various organizations while learning about membership opportunities and viewing some of their favorite treasured artifacts.
Free and open to the public. In the Terrace Room (third floor) of the Westerly Public Library.

Hike to Venture Smith's Homesite
2022-09-18 10:00 - 11:00 | CT
Join us for our annual hike to Venture Smith’s homesite in the Barn Island Management Area, led by professor and historian Nancy Steenburg. The walk is about 1 mile and will take place on Sunday, September 18th at 10am, leaving from the Stewart Road parking lot. Please email library@stoningtonhistory.org with your name and number of attendees before September 16th to reserve your place.

Stonington's Steamboat Hotel book launch with Stuart Vyse
2022-10-19 18:00 - 19:30 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Stuart Vyse, a retired psychology professor and member of the Stonington Historical Society Board of Directors, will be at the La Grua Center on Oct. 19th at 6PM to present on the history of the Steamboat Hotel. He will be discussing the history of Liquor and Temperance in the Borough pre-Prohibition.
Email development@stoningtonhistory.org to reserve a copy of his newest book!

Captain Palmer House and Lighthouse Museum Open
2022-10-22 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-29 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-30 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-05 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-06 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-12 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-11-19 10:00 - 16:00 and 3 more dates | CT

Palmer House and Lighthouse Museums Open
2022-10-23 10:00 - 16:00 | CT

Open House at the Stonington Lighthouse
2022-10-23 13:00 - 15:00 | The Old Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
It is our great pleasure to invite our community to our open house at the Lighthouse. We will have hors d’oeuvres, light refreshments, and music in the company of other board and volunteer professionals.

All Hallow's Eve at the Palmer House
2022-10-31 17:00 - 20:00 | Captain Palmer House
Back for our second year to scare you silly! Join us for trick or treating and a family-friendly haunted house. Our favorite Tarot Card Reader, Miss Nancy, will be back this year to foresee your future! Free and open to the public from 5 to 8pm. All ages welcome.

All Hallows Eve
2022-10-31 17:00 - 20:00 | Captain Palmer House
Join us for a Spook-tacular evening at the Palmer House!
We will pass out halloween treats, and allow visitors the opportunity to meet a professional Tarot Card Reader.

Cooking the Book Potluck
2022-11-09 18:30 - 20:30 | Captain Palmer House
Join us on Wednesday, November 9th at 6:30pm in the Palmer House kitchen for a community potluck! This fall we are Cooking the Book, which means every participant will cook something out of the same cookbook. We have chosen the Stonington Como published Stonington Fare. Anyone may peruse copies of the cookbook at Stonington Free Library and sign up for a dish to make. Or, if you have your own copy – feel free to sign up and join us! On the 9th, everyone will bring their dish to share and enjoy together. Sign ups are required to avoid duplication of recipes. Sign ups begin October 1st, 2022 and end on November 2nd, 2022. Have questions? Email Chelsea Mitchell at cmitchell@stoningtonhistory.org or call 860-535-1131.

Innovation and Ingenuity: Architecture and Design at the Palmer House
2022-11-11 10:30 - 12:30 | Captain Palmer House
Intergenerational Family Program
Friday, November 11 – Veterans Day
Drop in anytime between 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Program is free. Children of all ages and their families are welcome.
Children must be accompanied by a family member or adult for the program.
Join us for an interactive, family program on architecture and design at the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House. Participants of all ages will explore the architectural features of the house in a hands-on scavenger hunt. They will learn about the styles of this National Historic Landmark and discover how architecture is a language for communicating ideas.
Admission is free for all veterans and current military personnel and their families on Friday, November 11, 2022.
Registration is not required but will help us plan. Click here.

Deck The Walls Preview Party
2022-12-01 18:00 - 20:00 | CT
It’s time to Deck the Walls! We’re so excited to partner with the Stonington Garden Club and Stone Acres Farm for our annual wreath and decor fundraiser, Deck the Walls! All proceeds benefit the Stonington Historical Society and are earmarked specifically for the preservation and maintenance of our gardens and grounds. Deck the Walls runs from Dec. 1 through Dec. 3. We’ll kick off with a ticketed preview party on Dec. 1st from 6 – 8pm, followed by an open house with Wreath-Making Workshops, Holiday Market on the Farm, and more on December 2nd and 3rd.
Click here to purchase tickets and view auction items. Additional items will be added as we get closer to the event.
