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

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.

Raising a glass to two of our Gold Sponsors, whose generous support helps make The Cannon Ball possible.When you support...
06/04/2026

Raising a glass to two of our Gold Sponsors, whose generous support helps make The Cannon Ball possible.

When you support our sponsors, you're supporting the preservation of Stonington's story. We're so grateful for partners like Densmore Oil and AP Electric.

The Cannonball • June 27

Don't forget to join us on Saturday from 10am to 12pm in the Robinson Burial Ground on Broad Street in the Borough for o...
06/03/2026

Don't forget to join us on Saturday from 10am to 12pm in the Robinson Burial Ground on Broad Street in the Borough for our next Cemetery Clean Up. All materials provided - you only need work gloves and some water. We can't wait to see you and help restore these beautiful stones to their former glory.

After a career spent protecting Stonington Borough for 35 years, Fire Chief Jeff Hoadley is hanging up his helmet on Jul...
06/01/2026

After a career spent protecting Stonington Borough for 35 years, Fire Chief Jeff Hoadley is hanging up his helmet on July 4th and there's no more fitting send-off than this.

We are proud to announce that Chief Hoadley will receive the Hero Award at the 27th annual Cannon Ball on June 27, 2026. It's a small token of the enormous gratitude this community owes him.

Join us in honoring a true Stonington hero. Tickets at the link in bio.
📷 Photograph by Bergin O’Malley

Private First Class John Roderick was born in 1919 to Manuel Roderick and Rose Gils. He attended Stonington High School ...
05/30/2026

Private First Class John Roderick was born in 1919 to Manuel Roderick and Rose Gils. He attended Stonington High School for one year, and was drafted into the US Army. As a part of Hodges 1st Army, he took part in the invasion of Normandy and fought in the battles of France, Belgium and Germany. After the battle of Aachen, he was moved to the 9th Army and took part in the Battles of Holland, the Rhine and Elbe. He was promoted to Corporal in June 1945, and was discharged in September the same year.

Join us Saturday, June 27th 2026 for the 27th annual Cannonball!Have you purchased your tickets yet? This isn't just an ...
05/28/2026

Join us Saturday, June 27th 2026 for the 27th annual Cannonball!

Have you purchased your tickets yet?

This isn't just an event - it's the reason we can keep restoring, teaching and sharing the history of Stonington. Every seat at the table makes that work possible. Not to mention the Cannon Ball is one of the best events of the year!

Tickets and tables available now at cannonball2026.givesmart.com and in the link in bio
Where: Nathaniel B. Palmer House at 40 Palmer Street in Stonington
Time: 5 - 10 pm

Address

40 Palmer Street
Stonington, CT
06378

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