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COLLECTIONS

The New London County Historical Society has collections in several areas of interest to those wishing to learn more about the county in earlier days.

The largest collection is of photographs, both of people connected with the county and of various scenes in it. The post card collection is also quite extensive.

New London was heavily involved in whaling and trade to the Far East in the 1800s. Our collections of scrimshaw and whaling tools reflect that involvement. Scrimshaw could be as frivolous as a scene engraved on a whale’s tooth, or as useful as that fashion necessity the corset busk. Accessories include an umbrella with whalebone ribs and a cane made from a narwhal’s tooth. Whaling tools include harpoons and slicers.

Travelers brought back souvenirs which their descendants have donated to the Society. There are axes and paddles from Pacific islands, textiles from China, and shells from all over the world.

There are also objects from closer to home. We have a large collection of clothing, accessories, and other textiles owned by people associated with New London County.

There are paintings of ships and paintings of their owners, badges for various organizations and events, china, pottery, pewter, silver (some captured as a prize in the American Revolution), furniture, swords, and various “relics” commemorating both the famous and the unknown.



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RESEARCH can be accomplished either in person or by the staff.

FEES:

$15
Entitles nonmembers to three visits; members may research for free.

$10
Initial search fee for requesting staff research.
We will inform you of the results of the search and send you a “first round” of information, including photocopies if requested.

$35/hour
Longer searches on request (such as looking through months’ or years’ worth of old newspapers, which are not indexed, for certain references), are billable in half hour increments.

Copy work is charged at $.25/copy.

While we cannot guarantee we will find the information you are looking for, often the first round of information is all that is needed.

Please make an appointment when coming to do research. We do sometimes have to turn people away because of limited space or special events.

Contact us to discuss your needs for genealogy research.

Telephone 860-443-1209
Email info@newlondonhistory.org

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