Stonington Historical Society Museums Set To Reopen

STONINGTON, CT — The Stonington Historical Society’s two museums are set to reopen for the season May 13. The Lighthouse Museum and the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House will both be open Thursdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 15.

Residents of Stonington, Pawcatuck, and Mystic all receive free admission to the two museums.

"We believe that the Lighthouse Museum and the Capt. Palmer House belong to those living in Stonington. We want to make these sites accessible to everyone and are excited to expand our free admission program this year,” Elizabeth Wood, executive director of the Historical Society, said in a statement.

In 2019, the Historical Society launched a $1.3 million preservation and restoration project at the Lighthouse Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After extensive construction work, the completely refurbished Lighthouse reopened for visitors in the summer of 2020.

This season, the Lighthouse Museum will feature updated exhibits on the Battle of Stonington and the history of steamship and rail travel. Guests will also be able to view “My Freedom is a Privilege that Nothing Else Can Equal,” the groundbreaking exhibit about the life of Venture Smith, a formerly enslaved man who lived in Stonington.

The Captain Palmer House will feature a new exhibit on ice harvesting, as well as other temporary exhibits that will open throughout the season.

The Lighthouse Museum is located at 7 Water St. in Stonington and the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House is located at 40 Palmer St. in Stonington.

The schedule for walking tours will be announced soon. Please visit stoningtonhistory.org for the latest programs and events.

Founded in 1895, the Stonington Historical Society preserves, interprets, and celebrates the history of all of Stonington, Connecticut. The Society owns and operates the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House, the Lighthouse Museum, and the R.W. Woolworth Library and Research Center, as well as maintaining its collection of objects and documents and offering educational programming throughout the year.