Historic Stonington

Historic Stonington Historic Stonington was founded in 1895. The Capt. Palmer House & the Lighthouse Museum are open seasonally. Our National Historic Site, the Nathaniel B.

The Woolworth Library is open Monday - Thursday 9am to 2pm, and Fridays 1pm to 5pm. The mission of the Stonington Historical Society is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the history of all of Stonington. Our Society is dedicated to illuminating the more than 350 years of history of the Town of Stonington, located in the southeastern corner of Connecticut. We offer here records of the lives and

fortunes of colonial settlers, blockade runners, ship captains, whale hunters, patriots, explorers, artists, and writers. We recall the struggles between Native Americans and Europeans, the repulse of British forces in 1775 and 1814, the exploration of distant oceans by Stonington seafarers. We see Stonington's era as a polyglot seaport, a community of English, Portuguese, Irish, Italians, Germans, and African Americans. There are glimpses too of later years, when Stonington became known as a city-dwellers' refuge from the twentieth century, where village life and community survived. We invite you to explore the resources of this site, and to see Stonington in person as well. When you come, take the time to visit our three historic sites:

The Old Lighthouse Museum, where you can climb into its light tower and look far out toward the Atlantic. Palmer House, home of the Stonington seafarer credited with discovering Antarctica. The Richard W. Woolworth Library, a growing archive of local records, manuscripts, and photographs, serving a national research audience. Please visit us at any or all of our sites. You will find a warm welcome. Wish to support our efforts? You can become a Member and/or make a donation! MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Membership includes a subscription to Historical Footnotes and free admission to our museum sites and research library. Members are notified of coming programs and exhibitions and are entitled to a ten percent discount on our books and most gift shop items. Membership Applications are available at each of our sites and through our website: www.stoningtonhistory.org

HOW TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION
The Stonington Historical Society welcomes financial contributions to support its efforts to preserve and display the rich history of the Town. The organization enjoys the 501 (c) (3) status of a charitable institution. Please make checks payable to The Stonington Historical Society and mail them to:

The Stonington Historical Society
P.O. Box 103
Stonington, CT 06378

We're so proud to celebrate two more incredible sponsors of the 27th Annual Cannon Ball happening on June 27!★ GOLD SPON...
06/20/2026

We're so proud to celebrate two more incredible sponsors of the 27th Annual Cannon Ball happening on June 27!

★ GOLD SPONSOR ★
StoneRidge Senior Living: Nestled on 32 beautiful acres just minutes from downtown Mystic, StoneRidge is the premier Life Plan Community in southeastern Connecticut - a vibrant home for doers, thinkers, artists, and lifelong learners. We're honored to have their support.

✦ SILVER SPONSOR ✦
Leslie Driscoll, ASID — Stonington's own ASID-certified interior designer, with a career that has taken her from corporate aircraft interiors to the most beautifully considered homes on the Connecticut coast. Featured in Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, and a true artist of the spaces we live in.

Thank you both for making this evening possible.

One if by land, two if by sea — the online auction is officially open! Many incredible items are live right now at Canno...
06/19/2026

One if by land, two if by sea — the online auction is officially open!

Many incredible items are live right now at Cannonball2026.givesmart.com - getaways, experiences, local treasures, and one-of-a-kind pieces you won't find anywhere else.

The best part? You don't need a gala ticket to bid. Anyone, anywhere can join in and support Historic Stonington.

Register and start bidding today at Cannonball2026.givesmart.com or use the link in our bio.

One if by land, two if by sea is our theme for the 27th Cannon Ball on June 27  - and here are three of our incredible S...
06/18/2026

One if by land, two if by sea is our theme for the 27th Cannon Ball on June 27 - and here are three of our incredible Silver Sponsors leading the way....

We're so grateful to celebrate:

✦ Julia Leeming Architect - designs thoughtful buildings that connect meaningfully to the landscape.

✦ Veritable Distillery - crafting spirits right here in our community, and pouring them beautifully on June 27th.

✦ Sift Bakery - A world class bakery right on our doorstep bringing their artistry to the Cannon Ball for desert!

Thank you for making the 27th Annual Cannon Ball possible. See you June 27th!

06/16/2026

We're almost sold out! Don't miss out on the party of the season at the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House on June 27th.

We're deeply grateful to the sponsors of The Cannon Ball 2026, whose partnership makes it possible to connect our commun...
06/15/2026

We're deeply grateful to the sponsors of The Cannon Ball 2026, whose partnership makes it possible to connect our community to Stonington's past and its future.

Please join us in supporting two of our Gold Sponsors:
- JG Michael Solutions
- Carmody, Torrance, Sandak & Hennessey LLP

Tickets available now — link in bio. June 27.

Join us in recognizing one of our Cannon Ball 2026 Platinum sponsors, McBride Architects:McBride Architects was founded ...
06/12/2026

Join us in recognizing one of our Cannon Ball 2026 Platinum sponsors, McBride Architects:

McBride Architects was founded by Nate McBride in 1983. The firm maintains a close relationship with the art world, having designed New York galleries Alexander and Bonin and Galerie Lelong, a private museum in Pound Ridge, NY, and several highly acclaimed art exhibitions as well as studios for artists.

Residential work by McBride includes full renovations of apartments, townhouses, and lofts in New York City, as well as renovations, additions, and new construction for primary residences and summer homes throughout the Northeast and New England. McBride has also had the honor of designing a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Pokhara, Nepal, as well as a school and community center for the Tibetan community in Mundgod, India. The firm has also executed a wide range of institutional projects, including facilities for Rockefeller University and Hunter College, offices for nonprofit organizations, and studio space for film production companies.

Historic Stonington sponsors support our work year round in preserve four historic properties, including the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House (1853), a National Historic Landmark. as well as the Lighthouse Museum (1840), the Ocean Bank (1851), and the Arcade (1837). Preservation also include the care and keeping of artifacts, furniture, manuscripts, and more related to the history of ALL of Stonington.

See you at the Cannon Ball on June 27! Grab your tickets today.

06/11/2026

The 27th Annual Cannon Ball Gala 💃 🍸🎵
Saturday
June 27, 2026
5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
presented by Historic Stonington

This annual gala will be held at the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House, located at 40 Palmer Street, Stonington Borough, CT
This year’s theme is "One if by Land, Two if by Sea: A Most Splendid & Revolutionary Gala," directly tying into the ongoing national America 250 independence celebrations. 🇺🇸

This year’s honoree is Stonington Borough Fire Department Chief Jeff Hoadley. He is being presented with the 2026 Hero Award to celebrate his retirement after protecting the Stonington Borough community for 35 years as fire chief and serving 52 years in active fire service.

Come dressed in your best 18th-century revolutionary attire and dance the night away! Powdered wigs are highly encouraged, though modern formalwear (black tie optional) is perfectly welcome.

Because this event is a crucial fundraiser that directly supports Stonington's historical preservation and education programs, seats typically sell out well in advance. The silent and online auction for the 2026 Cannon Ball Gala opens for bidding on Friday, June 19, 2026. You do not need to buy a gala ticket or attend the event in person to bid on or win silent auction packages. Bidding will remain live online leading up to and during the gala event on June 27.

For tickets and more information, go to HistoricStonington.org
-Auction info at e.givesmart.com/events/O0N/?isOrderFormActive=true

Thank you to event co-chairs, Jamie Densmore of Densmore Oil Jonathan Shockley of SERHANT. Real Estate.
We hope to see you there, in your Revolutionary wear!

A double pocketbook or letter case owned by Captain John Randall (1730-1802). John was the son of John Randall and Dorot...
06/10/2026

A double pocketbook or letter case owned by Captain John Randall (1730-1802). John was the son of John Randall and Dorothy Cottrell. He had two wives: Lucy Brown, who died in 1765 and Thankful Swan. Captain Randall served in the American Revolution in Colonel Jedediah Huntington's 2nd Company, Eighth Regiment from July 13, 1775 to December 10, 1775. As part of this regiment, John was stationed along Long Island Sound until September, when they were ordered to the Boston Camps and took post at Roxbury in General Spencer's Brigade.

A heartfelt thank you to three of our Silver Sponsors for 2026 Cannon Ball: - ASA Environmental Products- Block, Janney ...
06/08/2026

A heartfelt thank you to three of our Silver Sponsors for 2026 Cannon Ball:

- ASA Environmental Products
- Block, Janney & Sisley LLC
- Thames Valley WinSupply

Partners like these are why we can keep during the important work that ties our community to history and the future. Please join us in supporting them and we'll see you on June 27.

Purchase tickets today, link in bio.

Today marks 82 years since the invasion of Normandy. Maurice LaGrua, well known in Stonington as a photographer, served ...
06/06/2026

Today marks 82 years since the invasion of Normandy. Maurice LaGrua, well known in Stonington as a photographer, served in the US Army and was on the beach those fateful days in early June 1944. Maurice was wounded at Normandy on June 8th, but went on to fight. He received numerous medals for his service, including a Purple Heart, and a Bronze Star.

Thousands of young men made the ultimate sacrifice for global freedom and democracy. Take a moment today to thank a veteran, learn a piece of WWII history, or reflect on the peace they fought so hard to secure. We will never forget.

Address

40 Palmer Street
Stonington, CT
06378

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