Historic Stonington

Yoga at the Lighthouse
2023-08-02 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-07-26 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-07-19 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-07-12 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-06-28 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-06-21 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-06-14 09:00 - 10:00, 2023-06-07 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | The Old Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Wednesdays at 9am. Please register at https://chbluebirdyoga.com/stonington-lighthouse

The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter
2023-07-19 18:00 - 19:30 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join us on Wednesday, July 19 at 6 pm at the La Grua Center for a fascinating program about Ida Lewis. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the publication of The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter (Rowman-Littlefield), the true story of America’s heroic female lighthouse keeper Ida Lewis, join us for a presentation by the author, and filmmaker, Nico Raineau. Ida Lewis stands out in history as a true American heroine, saving upwards of 25 people from drowning and becoming famous overnight–something she neither wanted nor pursued. Despite her fame in the late 19th century, Ida Lewis has been summarily forgotten by history. Nico Raineau is producing a film adaption of Skomal’s book and is local to the Stonington area.

Annual Meeting
2023-07-16 16:00 - 18:00 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Please join us on Sunday, July 16th at 4 pm at the La Grua Center for the 127th Annual Meeting of the Stonington Historical Society. Immediately following the business meeting and elections, join us for a conversation with incoming SHS President (and Harvard Business Review Editor in Chief) Adi Ignatius about highlights of his career covering Tiananmen Square, interviewing Vladimir Putin, and other epochal moments. We will also touch on his thoughts about the mission and future of the Stonington Historical Society. Society Treasurer Paul Leeming will moderate the discussion, which will include questions from the audience. A reception will follow.
All are welcome

Private Event at the Lighthouse
2023-07-15 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-02-25 08:00 - 17:00 | CT

Night of Terror: The Sinking of the Paddlewheel Steamship "Atlantic"
2023-07-13 18:00 - 19:30 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join us Thursday evening, July 13th at the La Grua Center for a fascinating lecture by Captain Bill Palmer. An Army paratrooper during the time of the Vietnam War, Palmer is now one of New England’s leading authorities on underwater wrecks and has videotaped dozens of submarines, U-boats, and sunken vessels lost in East Coast waters. As owner-operator of the charter vessel Thunderfish out of R.I. and Mystic, Conn., Captain Palmer has been diving since the late 1960s and knows the exact location of wrecks, including those where there was a large loss of life, such as the Metis and the Larchmont. This presentation promises to be one you won’t soon forget!

Annual Independence Day Parade
2023-07-04 10:00 - 11:00 | CT
Join us for the Borough Independence Day parade! It steps off at 10am from Wadawanuck Square and processes down Water Street to Cannon Square, where it turns and makes its way back to Wadawanuck Square along Main Street. Be sure to stick around for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. This year’s grand marshal will be Beth Stewart of the Stonington Community Center. Lots of fun for the whole family! If you’d like to march in the parade, please fill out our brief form to let us know to expect you.

To Register to march in the parade, click here:
https://forms.gle/tQWfzeJnWbVBcbj59

Cannon Ball 2023
2023-06-24 17:00 - 22:00 | Captain Palmer House
Join us on June 24th, 2023 for the Cannon Ball!
From 5 pm – 10 pm at The Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House

Enjoy an evening of elegance and entertainment as we celebrate Stonington’s past and present as a Point of Departure. Arrive by steamship, sail, or rail. The Captain Palmer House will be transformed into a stunning venue that will take you on a journey through time when the world passed through Stonington.
RSVP by June 10th to reserve your spot. We look forward to your company!

Purchase Tickets

Death By Fire and Ice: The Steamboat Lexington Calamity
2023-04-20 18:00 - 19:00 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Hear author Brian E. O’Connor speak on his latest book “Death by Fire and Ice,” which recounts the tragic sinking of the steamboat Lexington on Long Island Sound in 1840. With the loss of nearly all passengers and crew, it was the most devastating maritime disaster in the history of the Sound. O’Connor will delve into the aftermath of the tragedy, including the public’s demand for better steamboat safety regulations and the difficult choices Congress faced in balancing cargo liability with passenger safety.
This is a talk you won’t want to miss!

About the Author
Brian E. O’Connor is a retired lawyer and author originally from Brooklyn, New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree in government and politics with magna cum laude honors from St. John’s University, as well as a Juris Doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law, where he also served as the publications editor of the Law Review. O’Connor began his legal career as a clerk on the New York Court of Appeals before joining a prominent Wall Street law firm, where he specialized in complex commercial litigation for 38 years. He eventually retired as the firm’s General Counsel in 2017. O’Connor currently resides with his wife and two Portuguese water dogs on Eaton’s Neck in Northport, New York.

Rollie McKenna Community Photo Contest
2023-04-12 13:00 - 17:00 | The Old Lighthouse Museum, 7 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States

NAKAI NORTHUP~ PRESERVING NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY
2023-03-30 18:00 - 19:00 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Save the date!
Nakai Northup, a member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and Board Member of the Stonington Historical Society, for an important discussion about preserving and conserving Native American culture and heritage.
On Thursday, March 30th at 6 PM, Nakai will explore the importance of preserving tribal culture and stories in the region, and how it relates to the broader history of Connecticut at the La Grua Center.

Private Event
2023-03-18 08:00 - 17:00 | CT

Cooking the Book: Family Recipe Edition - Postponed
2023-02-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Captain Palmer House
This Event Has Been Postponed. We Apologize For Any Inconvenience.

Do you need an excuse to break out your grandmother’s cookbook? Join the Stonington Historical Society on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the Captain Palmer House from 6-8pm for our new community potluck program, Cooking the Book.
Cooking the Book is designed to create new connections in our community between the past and present, and person to person. The history of our town is explored through everybody’s favorite medium: food! Participation is easy; choose a beloved family recipe, prepare it in the comfort of your own home, and bring it to the Palmer House to share. All of the recipes prepared that evening will be added to our archives.
If you weren’t born and raised in Stonington, that’s ok! We want to document what residents of our town are like now, not just in the past.

Stonington Steamboat Hotel "A Restaurant Family" Presentation
2023-02-15 18:00 - 19:00 | The La Grua Center, 32 Water Street, Stonington, CT, 06378, United States
Join us, free to all, and take a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Stonington and its famous Steamboat Hotel. Vyse will delve into the fascinating story of the African American restaurant family that worked out of the hotel, providing a unique and engaging look at this important part of Stonington’s past.

Uncover the inspiring journey of Dr. Alexander Augusta, who, despite facing many obstacles, became a doctor, served in the Union army, and tirelessly worked towards racial equality. Discover the significance of the restaurant at the Steamboat Hotel, opened by Margaret Barnswell and her family.

There will be much more to share, and we hope to see you all there!

Connecticut History
2023-02-09 13:00 - 14:00 | CT
This pilot program about Connecticut History is offered free of charge for the month of February. You may join the live lecture by clicking on the link below. If you would prefer a recording of the program delivered via email later that day, please email director@stoningtonhistory.org and we will share the recording when it is ready.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89905428910?pwd=[REDACTED]

Offices and Library Closed
2022-12-24 08:00 - 2023-01-01 17:00 | Stonington Historical Society, 40 Palmer St., Stonington, CT, 06378, United States

Captain Palmer House and Lighthouse Museum Open
2022-12-18 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-12-17 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-12-11 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-12-10 10:00 - 16:00 | CT

Cantica Nativitatis
2022-12-17 16:00 - 17:00 | Captain Palmer House
No tradition has yielded a greater collection of music than that of Christmas. Historian and Musician Richard Franklin Donohue will explore this extraordinary repertoire from the 14th through 19th centuries. Hear carols sung in their original languages of German, Latin, Middle English, French, and Modern English, accompanied on harpsichord and portative organ.
This concert will be held at the Captain Palmer House on Saturday, December 17th at 4pm. Tickets are available by clicking on the “Buy Tickets” tab on our homepage, and are $20.

Nightcap Before Christmas
2022-12-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Captain Palmer House
The Stonington Historical Society is pleased to announce its second annual Christmas cocktail party, The Nightcap Before Christmas, taking place on Thursday, December 15th, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm in the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House at 40 Palmer Street, Stonington. This year is a 1950s theme, and we encourage attendees to dress accordingly. Woolworth Library Director Chelsea Mitchell will be mixing up classic 1950s cocktails for you to try, as well as delicious finger foods. Step back in time and enjoy this unique experience! Tickets are available on our website, and can be purchased by clicking “Buy Tickets” on our homepage.

Koekje, Cooky, or Cookie? A History of American Christmas Cookies
2022-12-08 19:00 - 20:00 | CT
Why do the Brits call them biscuits and we call them cookies? The answer lies in the 17th century Dutch colony of New Netherland. But cookies have a peculiar history. Once the purview only of the wealthy, their flavors, shapes, and textures have changed over time. Influenced by changing technologies, household labor, slavery, social status, agricultural innovations, and immigration, cookies have become the standard American Christmastime treat. But how did we get there? In this illustrated lecture, food historian Sarah Wassberg Johnson discusses the history of cookies in America, Christmas traditions through the ages, and why we eat so many cookies during the holiday season.
This is a Zoom program, and may be joined by clicking the link below, on Thursday, December 8th at 7pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86481557510
