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Capture New London
We asked our community to capture New London as it exists now, undergoing major change. While the future of the city is bright, our current moment of transition is equally worthy of capture. These photos represent New London's structures, communities, and sights and why they matter to its inhabitants.
If these photos inspire your own appreciation of New London, we encourage you to submit your own photos.
Hempste(a)d House (late fall), Photo by Dwight Wenzel
From the Photographer:
No quote given
The Hempste(a)d House dates back to the late 1600s though it has undergone various repairs and renovations. The oldest portions of the home were built as early as 1678 by Joshua Hempste(a)d, father of Joshua Hempste(a)d, whose diaries have provided important historical context for life in 1700s New England. The survival of the house is remarkable, especially since it was already over 100 years old by the time of the 1781 burning. The house itself is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places individually and as part of the Hempste(a)d district. The construction of the house is as unusual as its social history, though less obvious. The house’s age means that features which were uncommon at the time of the house’s construction have been added on. Many of the additions, such as those from 1750, are old enough that they may distort the image of what 1600s construction looked like for those less familiar with architectural history. One such example of this is the house includes a completely enclosed porch. The spelling of Joshua’s last name has been incredibly inconsistent, either as Hempstead or Hempsted, so a compromise has been made for this entry.
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77 Green Street, Photo by Evan Andriopoulos
From the Photographer:
“The historic potential of New London. History is within eyesight of everyone downtown... There is potential and in many cases yet to be realized. We can use History to guide us to our future (history travel etc...) and we have hundreds of stories on those that helped build America from the ground up”
77 Green Street, the Richard Douglass House, was built in 1801. The building is in the Downtown New London Historic District. The house was built for Captain Richard Douglass, a New London resident, cooper and Revolutionary War veteran. The land on which he built had originally been a part of Timothy Green’s properties, which stretched well down from State Street. The fact that both Green and Douglass were both involved on the American side of the revolution helps point to what the political atmosphere of New London at the time looked like. The gamble-roofed house is one of the few remaining of that style in New London. Richard Douglass was a classic self-starter, being an original member of the Society of Cincinnati and an active member of the Connecticut Society. He was also a founding member of the Methodist society in the city. While Captain Douglass’s house survives, of the nine children he had with his wife, none left biological descendants.
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New London Meal Center, Photo by Dwight Wenzel
From the Photographer:
“People standing outside the New London Meal Center waiting for a warm dinner.”
The New London Meal Center at 12 Montauk was, until 2000, the Soup Kitchen run by the Health and Welfare Community Service Ministry at 77 Truman Street, a building it had outgrown. The move to Montauk required a zoning change, which faced some opposition. The New London Meal Center’s victory was the victory for civic mindedness over NIMBY. Articles about soup kitchens in New London can be found as far back as the 1880s, and we know that charity organizations existed here long before that. One of the original institutions in New London was an almshouse near the first meeting house, jail, and the ancientest burial ground. The city needs to continue to provide room for services for the poor and unhoused.
Remembering the First Congregational Church, Photo by Dwight Wenzel
From the Photographer:
“Remembering The First Congregational Church New London 🙏”
The collapse of the First Congressional Church, a recognized landmark in a national historic district, was a massive loss for New London. The building had become part of New London’s iconography, a common landmark in guides to the city and postcards for over a hundred years. The German Gothic church was built in 1851 according to the designs of Leopold Eidlitz. An acclaimed Jewish architect born in Prague, Eidlitz was the expert hand behind many famous buildings, a substantial number of which are now gone. His most famous works include P.T. Barnum’s exotically styled “Iranistan” mansion in Bridgeport, the grand New York State Capitol, and the former Temple Emanu-El in New York City. Many of his buildings have been lost to fire, damage, and time. While Eidlitz designed buildings of various styles and schools, his most iconic buildings were all large and imposing, echoing the Gilded Age of America in which he lived and worked. Eidlitz designed the First Congregational Church to be grand and imposing; thus, the building is missed that much more. What is built in its place may fill a big gap in the streetscape and serve a new purpose, but it can never replace the church. The loss of the First Congregational is a sign that even the sturdiest buildings may be at risk. Historic churches are at heightened risk when congregations can no longer afford to maintain them. We must preserve what exists in New London before we lose more of our iconic buildings.
The Old Towne Mill (Winter), Photo by Dwight Wenzel
From the Photographer: No quote given
Recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the “Winthrop Mill” sits low behind the highway. In this photo, the snow coats both of them, bringing dissonant structures into one cohesive picture. The architecture of the Old Towne Mill almost seems as if it should not exist in the same world as a raised highway. It is a testament to the power of historical preservation to create physical reminders of history. The mill originally belonged to New London’s founder John Winthrop, Jr.. Indeed, he had a monopoly on grain grinding in the area. These physical reminders help center us in our place in time and culture. The shadow of the highway hides a different legacy of history in New London. Urban renewal in New London completely destroyed nearby Shapley Street. Shapley street had been a densely black neighborhood in New London. Comparing the survival of the Winthrop Mill to the destruction of Shapley Street reminds us that New London has honored the past of some, while choosing to sacrifice others for racially motivated reasons. The structures which would memorialize marginalized populations have not been so carefully preserved. However, one can explore the New London Black Heritage Trail to explore and understand the engaging stories of New London’s black history.
New London Harbor Light, Photo by Dwight Wenzel
From the Photographer: No quote given
Lighthouses were an immediate necessity in colonial New London. Informal fire pits were lit along the coast before the first physical structures were built. The current Harbor Light, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, was constructed in 1801. It was built to replace the original structure, built in 1760 as the 4th lighthouse in what would become the United States. The Harbor Light is a testament to the success of preservation in Connecticut, being the oldest remaining lighthouse in the state. Preservation work which occurred on the Harbor Light began as early as 1833, when repairs were made to the damaged lighthouse, then again in 1863. Of course, at this point, these repairs were to maintain functionality, rather than historical value. These repairs often added new details, with the 1833 revisions including a new lantern and copper dome. A third set of iron stairs was added in 1963. Proper historic preservation considers and highlights all of these facts, as each addition and repair is part of the building’s architectural legacy. More than just 1801, the Ledge Light offers an entry point into exploring much more about the city’s architecture, history, and environment.
The Winthrop Hotel, Photo by Robert Palm
From the Photographer: “The stories it could tell.”
Built in 1844, the Winthrop Hotel was home to a host of interesting characters. The hotel was constructed originally as a warehouse for the Perkins and Smith whaling firm. In the 1860s, as New London’s economy began to transition, the building was converted and updated into a hotel. In the 1880s the building assumed its name as the Winthrop Hotel, in honor of Connecticut’s first governor. One of the more notable individuals in the building’s history was Gasparo Fresno, its owner for a period in the 1920s. Under Fresno’s ownership the hotel often found itself plastered on the page of the morning paper. He was fined $10 for an altercation with the owner of an adjoining restaurant in 1920, when he threw a burning cigar at the man’s face, smearing ashes and sending sparks flying. In the same year he was also fined $150 for having “hard liquor in his possession for the purpose of sale” (The Day). This would not be the first or last time someone at the Winthrop would face legal consequences for the sale of liquor that year, let alone within the decade. While Fresno’s indiscretions were very public, there are countless stories that only the walls of the Winthrop can remember.
Coastal Landscape & Recreation, Photo by Bruce B. Feinberg, MD
From the Photographer: "The views of the shoreline, sailboats, and rocky beaches reflect the city’s picturesque waterfront, which draws tourists and locals alike. These views matter because they encapsulate the essence of New London—its working waterfront, strategic naval importance, and its identity as a scenic, historic, and economically significant coastal city."
Over 110 years old and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the New London's Ledge Light looms over the harbor. The lighthouse’s symmetrical structure creates an impressive image, but its interesting construction is often overlooked. The building itself had a rocky start, with contracts being awarded almost ten years after its construction was originally proposed. As for that construction, the flat-slab concrete method with which the Ledge Light was built was a cutting-edge technique. But the “cast-iron tubular foundation” which would have been common at the time was passed over for a massive timber crib into which concrete was poured. The original lens was shipped in from Paris. These details all help to paint a picture of 1900s New London as an international city which welcomed new ideas. The unusual construction of the Ledge Light is part of what gives the structure its identity and, hopefully, sparks curiosity about what history might be hiding in the views around you.
Historic & Modern Contrasts, Photo by Bruce B. Feinberg, MD
From the Photographer: "The juxtaposition of a historic tall ship with modern infrastructure demonstrates New London’s balance between preserving history and evolving into a contemporary maritime community. These views matter because they encapsulate the essence of New London—its working waterfront, strategic naval importance, and its identity as a scenic, historic, and economically significant coastal city."
The sight of a tall ship sailing into New London’s harbor has become a novelty. This once ubiquitous view has been made irrelevant by technological advancement. Yet, the same conditions of wind and water which once fueled the city’s sailing economy now create ideal conditions for green energy. The sea has been New London's frontier of technological change for centuries. It was improved naval technology which allowed for the success of the whaling industry, as well the development of alternative fuel sources which played a part in its end. Man-made sonar was adapted and improved in the Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory from the 1940s through the 1990s, while state-of-the art vessels are constructed on dry-docks around the region. The wind turbine project undertaken in 2024 off New London State Pier is remarkably healthier for the environment than many of the aforementioned developments. Commissioned by the state, these massive structures need to be fabricated on land and then assembled on site in the ocean. This project also represents a positive shift in New London's relationship to the nature which surrounds it. By adopting green energy solutions, New London works to preserve and give back to the natural resources which are responsible for its existence. By protecting the health of New London’s harbor, rivers, and sea access points, we preserve the future health of the region.
Naval & Submarine Presence, Photo by Bruce B. Feinberg, MD
From the Photographer: "The presence of a submarine highlights New London’s role as a major naval hub, home to the U.S. Navy’s submarine base and the Coast Guard Academy. These views matter because they encapsulate the essence of New London—its working waterfront, strategic naval importance, and its identity as a scenic, historic, and economically significant coastal city."
Despite its name, the "Naval Submarine Base New London" is actually in Groton, Connecticut, rather than the city bearing its name. The two municipalities are historically intertwined. Being positioned on the Thames river, the submarine base continues to connect both towns to the naval infrastructure of the east coast. Prior to it being commissioned as the U.S. Navy's first submarine base, a Naval Yard was commissioned along the Thames in 1868, though construction would only begin in 1872. While the base itself is not listed on the National Register of Historic Places, one of the submarines housed there is. The U.S.S. NAUTILUS was recognized in the late 1970s, though it had been constructed in 1955. She was the world's first nuclear submarine and a significant piece of cold-war technology.
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Fort Trumbull (Winter), Photo by Ben Hyde
From the Photographer: "Fort Trumbull is one of the most beautiful and recognizable historic areas in the area. It matters because New London is a beautiful city."
When looking at the five sided behemoth of Fort Trumbull, its original incarnation can be easily overlooked. The original Fort Trumbull was commissioned in 1775 as a defense against the British military. By the time the fort was completed in 1777, the American Revolutionary War was in full swing. The structure at that point would have looked far different than how it does today. We gain a peak into this from the surviving 1796 Blockhouse. The simple but sturdy structure was part of an attempt to repair and reinforce Fort Trumbull in the later 16th century. Little else of the pre-1800 Fort remains, as the structure was rebuilt almost entirely in 1812, though to minimal affect. It was found inadequate and in 1839 construction on the current fort began. It would take until 1850 for it to be completed. Fort Trumbull, in its various incarnations, has existed through every war on American soil. The building is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as a structure important to Connecticut security as a whole.
Fort Trumbull (Summer), Photo By Ben Hyde
From the Photographer: "Fort Trumbull is one of the most beautiful and recognizable historic areas in the area. It matters because New London is a beautiful city."
The photos provided by Ben Hyde were taken with drone technology, mirroring the technological advancements which occurred in and around Fort Trumbull. The structure had been effective during the American Civil War, though semi-irrelevant. In 1941, Fort Trumbull became home to the Underwater Sound Laboratory. Responding to the threat of German U-boats in the Atlantic, this government project centralized previous underseas mapping efforts conducted by the National Defense Research Committee, Harvard University, and Cambridge University. Their work helped to improve underseas sonar and acoustic machinery for naval vessels, adding to the United State's technological advantage. The Underwater Sound Laboratory continued to make advancements in sonar technology well into the 1990s when it was officially closed.
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Interior of the Mohican Hotel, Photo By Doreen Gayer
From the Photographer: "New London's architectural legacy, particularly its collection of buildings designed by famous architects, sparked my passion when I moved here in 2019. The city, where the Thames meets the Mohican, offers a unique blend of history and charm. From the magnificent views from my apartment at The Mohican to the intricate details I discovered on my walks, I was compelled to capture the essence of these historic structures through my photography. I hope my images will encourage others to explore New London's architectural treasures and appreciate its enduring beauty."
The Mohican Hotel has towered over New London's State Street since its creation in 1896. Originally built as the headquarters of Munsey's Magazine, established 1889. The building served this function for less than a year, when a strike shut down its functioning. In 1898 it would reopen as the Mohican Hotel. The grand hotel would exist for almost a hundred years, slowly fading in glory. In a meaningful, if economically motivated move, the Mohican Hotel offered rooming to non-white residents for a portion of its history. Starting in 1963, it would be listed in multiple editions of the Green Book ,a guide for black motorists on where they could expect to stay while traveling. In the 1990s the hotel shuttered its doors and was reconverted into affordable housing.
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158 State STreet, Photo By Doreen Gayer
From the Photographer: "New London's architectural legacy, particularly its collection of buildings designed by famous architects, sparked my passion when I moved here in 2019. The city, where the Thames meets the Mohican, offers a unique blend of history and charm. From the magnificent views from my apartment at The Mohican to the intricate details I discovered on my walks, I was compelled to capture the essence of these historic structures through my photography. I hope my images will encourage others to explore New London's architectural treasures and appreciate its enduring beauty."
158 State Street, the current home of the State Street Saloon has been home to more rabble rousers than could possibly be found on a hard drinking night out. Within the Downtown New London Historic District, 158 stands out from the red brick structures which bookmark it. The building is visibly older than those around it, having been constructed around 1771. The building still stands, though not on the site of its original construction. The building had been moved slightly up the block from its original location, as well as raised up a story. The structure was at one point home to Timothy Green’s printing presses. Timothy Green published “The Connecticut Gazette”, a late 1700s newspaper which printed updates on ongoing warfare and encouraged the cause of American Independence. He had his paper printed there from 1771 to 1783, keeping Connecticut’s population up to date on the ongoing war and never abandoning his cause. Timothy Green’s life offers both political and personal advice. Walking by 158 State Street can remind people that when they speak out for causes they believe in, their legacy will last long after their own time has passed. The building itself creates a meaningful tension between honoring our past and recognizing the importance of the present. As best described by a tablestone raised in his honor in 1796, “Visiting the grave be wise/ and learn/ this fleeting hour to prize;/nor leave thy soul’s supreme/ concern/ ‘Til morrow’s sun arise” (The Day 3/16/1973).
Side View Details of the New London Post Office, Photo By Doreen Gayer
From the Photographer: "New London's architectural legacy, particularly its collection of buildings designed by famous architects, sparked my passion when I moved here in 2019. The city, where the Thames meets the Mohican, offers a unique blend of history and charm. From the magnificent views from my apartment at The Mohican to the intricate details I discovered on my walks, I was compelled to capture the essence of these historic structures through my photography. I hope my images will encourage others to explore New London's architectural treasures and appreciate its enduring beauty."
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the New London Post Office is three stories of steel, concrete, and brick. Standing on its original site, Art Deco details are found both in and outside. This building was created under the Public Buildings Act of 1929, one of 136. The building itself was created in 1932, and in 1938 the Public Works Art Program funded the installation of interior murals by Thomas Sergeant Lafarge. Tied into the artistic and cultural legacy of the Great Depression, this structure is a prime example of quality art in the face of suffering.
Upper State Street, Photo By Doreen Gayer
From the Photographer: "New London's architectural legacy, particularly its collection of buildings designed by famous architects, sparked my passion when I moved here in 2019. The city, where the Thames meets the Mohican, offers a unique blend of history and charm. From the magnificent views from my apartment at The Mohican to the intricate details I discovered on my walks, I was compelled to capture the essence of these historic structures through my photography. I hope my images will encourage others to explore New London's architectural treasures and appreciate its enduring beauty."
Upper State Street in New London is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as the Downtown New London Historic District. This historic district has been a centerpiece of the city's economy for hundreds of years. The ages of historic buildings on State Street range from the late 1700s to the early 1960s. A meaningfully large range of 1800s Domestic Revival Style buildings cover upper state street and the surrounding homes. State Street still bears the marks of New London's mid 1800s economic boom, where the whaling industry flooded the city with wealth. New buildings propped up as signifiers of that wealth, or as structures to facilitate its functioning. One can find modern political protests outside of the 1798 county courthouse, just as fiery political speeches have filled its halls since its construction.
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