New London Custom House
Title
New London Custom House
Description
Coast (Defense), Grace McGee
The New London Custom House (1833) is the site of New London’s integral efforts to thrive as a port city through the presence of the United States Customs Service. The USCS combats maritime piracy and regulated embargos. The federal government still uses the Custom House for official business, which makes it the oldest continuously operating custom house in the United States. Additionally, the building houses the New London Maritime Society, which operates as a source of New London’s maritime history. Today, the Custom House stands as a testament to the longevity of New London’s maritime history, both with the Maritime Society as a source of historical objects and documents and with the federal government activities still occurring in the building, after hundreds of years.
Military, Economy, Governance (City Administration)
Creator
Eva Brydson
Contributor
Eva Brydson
Collection Items
In and About New London
The streets and structures that make up modern day New London have deep roots in the history of this coastal city. The New London Custom House has been one of the most significant buildings in New London for centuries and captures the essence of New…
Draggerman's Haul: The Personal Story of a Connecticut Fishing Captain
Ellery Thompson was a New London fisherman, sea captain, and writer.His best-known book Draggerman’s Haul (1950) recounts his experiences in the New London harbor and Long Island sound. Thompson was also a painter, and depicted New London’s lively…
New London Custom House front elevation and section
A distinguished architect, Robert Mills designed the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as well as Custom Houses for several port cities in New England, in addition to the New London Custom House.