170 Years of History
The Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House Museum
Step into the lives of two sea captains, their families, and ancestors when you pass through the grand front entrance of the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House. There, you will want to rush to the top floor and observe Stonington Harbor from our magnificent cupola. But, there is much to discover within the lower floors of the museum. You can take a close look at the model of Palmer’s sloop Hero, and imagine him discovering the Antarctic Peninsula at age 21 on his modest 47-foot sailboat. Numerous other model ships are on display, as well as dollhouses, and period textiles. Throughout the house, you will find evidence of the Palmer family’s involvement in shipbuilding, international trade, and family life in the mid 19th century and beyond. Plus, new exhibits on topics of local historic interest are featured at both the Palmer House and the Woolworth Research Library next door.
Buy tickets in person at the museum or online today!
BUY TICKETS
Schedule
Summer Hours
Open daily during July and August
10 am to 4 pm
Fall Hours
Open Thursday through Monday 10 am to 4 pm
( September 5 – October 14)
Winter Hours
Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to 4 pm
(October 19 – December 21)
Admission
$10 for Adults; $5 for Seniors (ages 65+) and Children (ages 5-17). Members, residents of Stonington, Mystic, and Pawcatuck, and children under the age of 5 are free. Admission grants access to both the Capt. Nathaniel B. Palmer House and the Lighthouse Museum.
Address
The Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House
40 Palmer Street
Stonington, CT 06378
Phone (860) 535-8445
ABOUT THE HOUSE
This 14-room Victorian mansion was built in 1852 by two brothers, captains Nathaniel Brown Palmer and Alexander Smith Palmer. Majestically sited, overlooking the upper end of Stonington harbor, “Pine Point” offers sweeping water views in all directions. From its octagonal cupola, the family could identify ships arriving from distant ports.
The grounds and gardens are the perfect place to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch during your visit. The natural beauty of this place is enriched by the stories shared in the house.
PRESERVATION
Once threatened by demolition, this magnificent home was purchased by Historic Stonington (formerly the Stonington Historical Society) in 1994 and is now preserved as a National Historic Landmark. Memorabilia about Nathaniel’s discovery of Antarctica and the Palmer brothers’ adventurous lives is on display, as are family portraits, furnishings, and artifacts.