Historic Stonington

The Triad and the Map
2024-09-14 10:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join Historic Stonington and Connect to Create to experience “The Triad and the Map” at the Stonington Art Walk on September 14th, 2024.
Seated at a table overlooking the shoreline, audiences take cues from a performer as they collectively trace their relationship to the history and future of the land.
The 30-minute performance takes place in the air-conditioned second-floor gallery of the Stonington Lighthouse and is presented by Historic Stonington and Connect To Create.
The Annual Stonington Borough Art Walk: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Showtimes: 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3
Limited seating available. Ages 14+. Book your ticket in advance Click Here
$10: Ticket includes admission to the historic lighthouse museum.

The Custom House: Tour with Elizabeth Wood
2024-09-30 17:00 - 18:30 | CT
Join Executive Director Elizabeth Wood on Monday, September 30th for an exclusive look inside the Stonington Custom House. Starting at 5pm, Elizabeth Wood will present a short history of the building and the prominent people who made it all possible, before visitors will be allowed to explore the interior of the building. This is a rare opportunity made possible by owners Damon and Sally Ball. No registration is required – come join us!

Offices and library closed for Columbus Day
2024-10-14 00:00 - 23:59 | CT

Memory and Forgiveness: A Conversation about the Pequot Experience in America
2024-10-20 17:00 - 18:30 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join journalist and Historic Stonington Board President Adi Ignatius for an in depth interview with Pequot Tribal Member and Museum Educator, Nakai Northup. This event is free and open to the public and will take place on Sunday, October 20th at 5pm at the La Grua Center.
Adi Ignatius is Editor in Chief of the Harvard Business Review. Before joining HBR, he was the No. 2 editor at Time magazine, based in New York. Prior to that, he worked as a foreign correspondent for more than two decades.
Nakai Northup is a Tribal Educator with 10+ years’ experience in teaching in eastern woodland tribal history. He is an avid hunter and fisherman and has recently founded his own business, RezLife Outdoors. As an activist for native rights, Nakai has traveled around the country, and participated in the protest at Standing Rock. Nakai has spent his entire life on his reservations and has a strong love for his Pequot and Narragansett communities and preserving ancient traditions for the younger generations.

Let's Build It: Historic Stonington
2024-11-02 13:00 - 17:00 | Stonington Community Center, 28 Cutler Street, Stonington, Connecticut, 06378
The Stonington COMO and Historic Stonington are proud to partner on a fun and family-friendly event, Saturday, November 2nd. Create teams of up to four people and build replicas of the historic structures of Stonington out of building blocks! You and your team will choose one of more than 50 historic buildings from Stonington Borough to recreate and then place on a to-scale map on the floor of the COMO gymnasium. All materials are provided on the day of the build and the cost is just $25 per team. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon and celebrate the beautiful architecture of our town. Scan the QR code on the flyer to get started.

Offices and library closed for Veterans Day
2024-11-11 00:00 - 23:59 | CT

Book Club Discussion with Stuart Vyse: The Steamboat Hotel
2024-11-13 17:00 - 18:30 | CT
From 1837 to 1900 Stonington, Connecticut was a major transportation hub on the route between New York and Boston. Steamboats leaving Manhattan followed Long Island Sound to Stonington Harbor where passengers boarded trains for the rest of the journey to Providence or Boston.
Stonington’s Steamboat Hotel, built in 1838 near the piers and railroad yard, was home to saloons, restaurants, a pool hall, a cigar shop, a tailor, and a barber shop. Merchants, hotel keepers, and saloon workers passed through the building, each with their own unique story. Many of them were immigrants or first-generation Americans, and they are a window onto a late 19th-century class of merchants and service workers.
Join local author Stuart Vyse for a discussion of his recent foray into local history, The Steamboat Hotel.
Participants should be familiar with book and come prepared with questions or comments. Refreshments will be served. This program is free and open to all.
Books are available at the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House in Stonington

Offices and library closed for Thanksgiving
2024-11-28 00:00 - 23:59 | CT

Deck the Walls Preview Party
2024-12-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Captain Palmer House
Historic Stonington is happy to announce that we are once again partnering with the Stonington Garden Club for this year’s Deck the Walls which will be held at the Captain Palmer House at 40 Palmer Street in Stonington and will run from November 29th through December 1st. Deck the Walls is an annual event whereby local businesses and individuals create holiday wreaths and tabletop décor for a festive preview party and online auction. This will be the 17th consecutive year that the two organizations have partnered to produce this community event.
All proceeds from Deck the Walls benefit Historic Stonington’s mission to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the history of Stonington and are earmarked for the maintenance of the grounds and gardens at the Lighthouse Museum on Stonington Point and the Palmer House Museum at 40 Palmer Street in Stonington. Contributions from previous Deck the Walls have allowed Historic Stonington to maintain the lovely seaside garden behind the lighthouse museum and to preserve the outer grounds at the Captain Palmer House including a charming woodland walking path bordering Quanaduck Cove which is open to the public.
The Deck the Walls weekend will kick off with a festive ticketed preview party on December 5 from 6 – 8 PM, followed by an open house on Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7 between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Please contact Renee Petruzelli at 860-535-8445 ×11 or at development@historicstonington.org if you have any questions.

Deck the Walls Open House & Online Auction
2024-12-06 10:00 - 16:00 | CT
Browse the fantastic selection of artisan-made wreaths, tabletop decor, and gift certificates for Grota Solna Salt Cave and the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, holiday cookie platters, and decor to celebrate the season and benefit a great cause. Visit the Palmer House today and tomorrow to see the selections in person or visit the auction website HERE!
All proceeds from Deck the Walls benefit Historic Stonington’s mission to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the history of Stonington and are earmarked for the maintenance of the grounds and gardens at the Lighthouse Museum on Stonington Point and the Palmer House Museum at 40 Palmer Street in Stonington. Contributions from previous Deck the Walls have allowed Historic Stonington to maintain the lovely seaside garden behind the lighthouse museum and to preserve the outer grounds at the Captain Palmer House including a charming woodland walking path bordering Quanaduck Cove which is open to the public.
The open house is Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Please contact Renee Petruzelli at 860-535-8445 ×11 or at development@historicstonington.org if you have any questions.

Deck the Walls Open House & Online Auction
2024-12-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Captain Palmer House
Browse the fantastic selection of artisan-made wreaths, tabletop decor, and gift certificates to Grota Solna Salt Cave and the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, holiday cookie platters, and decor to celebrate the season and benefit a great cause. Visit the Palmer House today to see the selections in person or visit the auction website HERE!
All proceeds from Deck the Walls benefit Historic Stonington’s mission to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the history of Stonington and are earmarked for the maintenance of the grounds and gardens at the Lighthouse Museum on Stonington Point and the Palmer House Museum at 40 Palmer Street in Stonington. Contributions from previous Deck the Walls have allowed Historic Stonington to maintain the lovely seaside garden behind the lighthouse museum and to preserve the outer grounds at the Captain Palmer House including a charming woodland walking path bordering Quanaduck Cove which is open to the public.
The open house is Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th between 10 AM and 4 PM.
Please contact Renee Petruzelli at 860-535-8445 ×11 or at development@historicstonington.org if you have any questions.

The Nightcap Before Christmas
2024-12-12 17:00 - 19:00 | Captain Palmer House
Join us at the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House for our newest holiday tradition – The Nightcap Before Christmas, a holiday cocktail tasting. Each year features a different theme, and this year we are tasting drinks inspired by classic Christmas songs. We are also sharing a new format – so if you’ve attended before – this year will be something new! Bring your friends and enjoy a great evening out, in support of your favorite history-focused non-profit. Tickets are $25, but they are limited so be sure to get yours before they sell out!
Click here to buy your tickets.
Have questions? Call 860-535-1131 to speak to Chelsea, or email library@historicstonington.org.

Offices and library closed for winter break
2024-12-25 00:00 - 2025-01-01 23:59 | CT

Victorian Valentines
2025-02-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Captain Palmer House
Join us for a heartwarming celebration of love and creativity at our family Valentine card workshop. During this fun, hands-on program, families will design and craft unique Victorian-inspired Valentine cards. We’ll provide all the materials and inspiration you need to create beautiful cards to share with your loved ones.
Bring your creativity and your family for a memorable morning of art and connection. The cost is $15 per family, and space is limited.
Click here to purchase tickets. https://www.historicstonington.org/product/victorian-valentines-family-ticket/

Dear Valentine: The Art of Writing Love Letters
2025-02-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Captain Palmer House
This event has been canceled.

Offices and Library are Closed
2025-02-17 08:00 - 17:00 | CT

Woolworth Library Closed
2025-03-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-04 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-05 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-06 09:00 - 17:00 | CT
The Woolworth Library is closed. If you need access, please reach out to Renee Petruzelli at 860-535-8445 ext. 11 or via email at rpetruzelli@historicstonington.org.

The Band of Steady Habits: The Irish in Connecticut
2025-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Saint Michael’s Church, 60 Liberty St, Pawcatuck, CT, 06379
Join Historic Stonington at St. Michael’s Parish Hall on Thursday, March 13th beginning at 6pm for a special concert presented by the Band of Steady Habits. The program is a three-century overview of life for the Irish in Connecticut from the 1640s to the present. An amazing story of struggle, perseverance, acceptance, and success, accompanied by both rousing and heart-rending music. The band describes themselves on their website: “The acoustic Band of Steady Habits came together in 2014 to share their love of music, and to use their talents to help create a new kind of public history presentation. Rachel Smith, Teagan Smith, Jeremy Teitelbaum, Walt Woodward, and Duke York use banjo, guitars, violin, recorders, bass, percussion, and beautiful harmonies to perform songs – some old, some original, and some contemporary – to accompany visually rich and evocative historical stories. This is definitely a celebration of Irish culture and heritage that you don’t want to miss!

Tiny Terrariums
2025-03-22 10:00 - 11:30 | CT
Once called Wardian cases, terrariums made it possible to transport live plant specimens around the world in the 19th century.
Create a Tiny Terrarium of your own to take home to brighten a window or table top and celebrate spring.
All supplies will be provided and will include moss, plants, soil, and drainage materials.
Advance registration is required. $10 per participant/terrarium.
Register at www.historicstonington.org

Fields of Gold Flower Show with the Stonington Garden Club
2025-04-11 10:00 - 16:00 | Captain Palmer House
Open to the public from 10 am to 4 pm on Friday, April 11th, Fields of Gold is a club flower show presented by members of the Stonington Garden Club, in celebration of the joyful harbinger of spring, the daffodil. The show’s schedule includes several classes each in floral design, horticulture, and photography. Noted gardener Ian Cooke will give a presentation at 2 PM that is open to all. Your visit won’t be complete until you take a walk through the cove side campus where Stonington Garden Club planted more than 3,000 daffodils in 2024.
This event is free and open to the public, but if you’d like to make a donation, please click here.

Woolworth Library Closed
2025-04-11 13:00 - 16:00 | The R. W. Woolworth Library & Research Center, 40 Palmer Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
We will be closed this afternoon in order to host Ian Cooke, who will be presenting “The Spring Fever of the Daffodil” at 2pm.

The Spring Fever of the Daffodil
2025-04-11 14:00 - 16:00 | The R. W. Woolworth Library & Research Center, 40 Palmer Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join us on Friday, April 11th at 2pm in the RW Woolworth Library & Research Center for a presentation by world renowned English Horticulturalist, Ian Cooke as part of the Fields of Gold flower show, presented by Historic Stonington and the Stonington Garden Club.
Daffodils are the harbinger of spring for many, and their emergence is the sign of nature’s unrelenting optimism. In this presentation, Ian Cooke will explore the genus narcissus from early cultivation by the Romans to modern day cultural practices, and lots of stops along the way to uncover this remarkable plant.
Mr. Cooke’s work has taken from the vast estates of Connecticut’s Gold Coast to the greenhouses of Monrovia nurseries in California. He travels the world as a horticultural lecturer, and his Youtube channel Planted with Ian Cooke, features the world of plants and planting.
This program is free with admission to the Fields of Gold event, and the Captain Palmer House.

Pressed Petals: A Flower Pressing Workshop
2025-04-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Captain Palmer House
Discover the delicate art of preserving nature’s beauty in our Pressed Petals workshop.
Whether you are a nature lover, a crafting enthusiast, or just looking for a fun, relaxing experience at the museum, this workshop offers the perfect opportunity to connect with nature, friends, and families in a creative way.
Materials will be included.

Rollie McKenna Community Photo Contest
2025-04-17 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-18 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
In an effort to preserve and celebrate the town’s artistic legacy, we are proud to present a community-wide photography contest. Named for portrait-photographer Rosalie “Rollie” McKenna, this annual photography contest is held to inspire new generations of photographers, as well as to continuously document our changing town by the people who live in it. We also hold this contest in memory of Rollie McKenna, who left a photographic legacy to Stonington and the world through her determination, creativity and passion for photography. May we always remember the path she forged for women in the arts.
The theme for 2025 is “Aging Gracefully”. Rollie was best known for her portrait photography, and her images of Stonington residents are some of our most requested materials in the archives of Historic Stonington. Before her death, Rollie McKenna was working on a project about aging artists called “Gleanings”, and this year’s theme is in honor of her unfinished work. Submitted photographs will be on display at the Lighthouse Museum in Stonington Borough from April 17th to the 27th, 2025. The museum will be open Thursday through Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Admission is free, and winners are chosen by popular vote.
