New London County Historical Society

06/02/2026

Sponsor A Child : NLCHS 2026 Summer Discovery Program!

In July 2020, the NLCHS began a free summer program, Summer Discovery. Children aged 5- 12 are immersed in humanities programming for four weeks. Youth explore Natural History, Archaeology, and Genealogy. This year we added historic interpretation and art history classes to the program. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided.

For six years we partnered exclusively with the Salvation Army of New London, and now our partnership expanded to also include youth from the Drop-In Learning Center and the Waterford Country School.

Your sponsorship of $50 provides a child one week of programming. In August, you will be invited to our end of summer, student-created in house exhibit. An online exhibit will also be available on our website, which includes the names of our sponsors.

Join us in our mission to provide immersive humanities programming to the youth of New London County!

Sponsor A Child today by clicking the link below, or scanning the QR code.

https://www.nlchs.org/store/ #!/2026-Summer-Discovery-Program-Sponsor-a-Child/p/140173104

Thank you for your support!

05/31/2026

We at the NLCHS are deeply saddened by the passing of Old Sturbridge Village Historian Tom Kelleher. as A friend to both the previous and current executive directors, his advice and guidance were instrumental in shaping our programming. We will miss him greatly. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1453247563497374&set=a.353867753435366

On May 26, the Old Sturbridge Village community lost one of our own.
For more than 40 years, Tom Kelleher shared his extraordinary talent, humor, kindness, and dedication with everyone fortunate enough to know him. Since joining the Village in 1984, Tom devoted his life to helping bring history to life for generations of visitors through his scholarship, storytelling, craftsmanship, mentorship, and unforgettable performances.

Tom was a gifted historian, interpreter, curator, and educator whose impact on this Museum cannot be overstated. Whether reading the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July each year, bringing beloved historical stories to life, mentoring colleagues, volunteers, and others in the living history field, or keeping the Village’s historic mills running, Tom left an indelible mark on this place and all the people within it.

To many of us, Tom was far more than a coworker. He was a trusted friend, a mentor, and a deeply cherished member of the OSV family. His infectious laugh, care, and passion for history will be profoundly missed and forever remembered.
Our thoughts are with Tom’s family, loved ones, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Additional details regarding plans to honor Tom’s life and legacy will be shared at a later date.

05/27/2026

Today on this Date:
The Diary of Joshua Hempstead
May 27th, 1712, Julian Calendar

Tuesd 27 fair. I worked att ye meeting house Joynting & Shingling. Tho Way Cartted a Load of Railes & Poles fro Cedar Swamp. wind N E & S. Coddin of R: Island arrived.

05/22/2026

A big THANK YOU to all who attended in person and live streaming on YouTube!

Being our first time streaming, we did encounter some technical difficulties that we know to look out for next time, and we want to thank you for your understanding and patience! We apologize for the sound issues, and this will be improved. There was also an issue on our end in the chat, where you all were able to use the function & we were unable to use the chat....we did see your comments later after the video had been uploaded. This will also be rectified for next time, so we can include you in the discussion!

Stay tuned for our next Revolutionary Talk, Revolution and Enslavement, on Thursday, June 18th from 7-8pm both in-person and LIVE on YouTube!

If you would like to see last night's lecture, click the link below!

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US!

Steve Manuel and Megan Haines Discuss the changes in women's agency before and during the American Revolution. Learn how women participated in, and were affe...

05/21/2026

JOIN US TONIGHT from 7-8pm!

Free & Open to the Public. No reservation required!

Revolutionary Talks: Women and Revolution

In person at 11 Blinman Street, New London

OR

virtual we will be LIVE on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/

05/19/2026

Who is the New London County Historical Society & what do we do?

Since our incorporation in 1870 by Henry Haven, we are a member-driven, New London COUNTY-wide historical society, with a mission & deep commitment to education, preservation and partnerships in community service.

As an academic institution & archive with a special collection that spans 400 years, we are stewards. Our robust internship program launches college students into the humanities professions, and our summer camp & field trip programming teaches young students about our area history while inspiring them into humanities professions. Our public lectures invite audiences to learn more about our history & encourages discussion & dialogue. Genealogy research helps us connect to our family history, and professors and scholars across the nation & the world access our collection to further their own research & study. The largest piece in our collection, Shaw Mansion, is our headquarters, purchased in 1907 to safeguard the collection and to ensure the New London County Historical Society always has a home.

We a proud to be part of your community. We invite you to become stewards of our mission. Because...History Matters 💙

https://www.nlchs.org/become-a-member/

05/15/2026

Join us next Thursday, May 21st from 7-8pm
for the third installment of our Revolutionary Talks series,
Women & Revolution!

Free & Open to the Public. No registration required!

Can't join in person? Watch the LIVE stream on Youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/

05/10/2026

05/01/2026

Today on this Date:
The Diary of Joshua Hempstead
May 1st, 1712, Julian Calendar

"May 1 Thursday Squaly. I was att work att ye meeting house Boarding of itt. a Squally day some hail & Some Rain. Benja
Lester Cut my Bull & markt my Calfes & turned ym out. Smith & Curtice Saild for Burmudos. Ms Dennis Died. Royce for Madara."