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Discover the powerful human stories behind New London’s colonial-era headstones on a guided Cedar Grove Cemetery tour. Unearth local history preserved in stone and gain a deeper connection to Connecticut’s past.
Discover the powerful human stories behind New London’s colonial-era headstones on a guided Cedar Grove Cemetery tour. Unearth local history preserved in stone and gain a deeper connection to Connecticut’s past.
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Operated by Thames River Heritage Park · New London, Connecticut
Step into the layered history of New London, Connecticut, with the "Colonial-Era Stories of Hardships and Happiness from the Second Burial Ground"—a compelling 90-minute walking tour held within the solemn grounds of Cedar Grove Cemetery. Located at 638 Broad Street, this guided experience offers visitors an unusual glimpse into 17th- and 18th-century life, told through the tales etched in enduring headstones and monuments. Many of these markers originally stood in New London’s Second Burial Ground before being relocated in the late 1800s, preserving the stories of early settlers who shaped the region.
New London itself is a coastal city rich in maritime history, its streets once alive with colonial trade and shipbuilding. Cedar Grove Cemetery, established as a resting place for the city’s forebears, has become a unique open-air museum where visitors can learn about local historical challenges, community resilience, and moments of joy against the backdrop of the evolving town.
Led by historian Gail B. MacDonald, the tour brings the stones to life, revealing personal narratives of families and individuals confronted by the hardships of colonial life as well as their moments of hope. It’s a rare opportunity to connect with the past in a tangible way, as guests stroll through shaded paths shaded by mature trees and absorb the rich heritage imprinted on the weathered markers.
What makes this walking tour stand apart in the New London area is its focus on the human dimension of colonial-era history, not just events or dates. Visitors gain insight into early American mortality, immigration, and culture, framed within the unique setting of Cedar Grove’s historic yet tranquil grounds. The proceeds support the ongoing restoration of historic monuments, underscoring its mission to bridge past and present with preservation.
This intimate group tour welcomes up to 25 guests and starts promptly at 4 pm on Saturday, October 19th, with a rain date the following day. Tickets are affordably priced at $20, or visitors can opt for an all-day pass covering three events for $50. Walk-ins are accepted, with cash payments on-site.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or a curious traveler seeking meaningful experiences in New London, this tour invites you to pause and listen—through stone and story—to the layered human history that forms the foundation of this coastal community.
Nearby City: New London
Slug: exploring-new-londons-colonial-past-guided-tour-at-cedar-grove-cemetery
Excerpt: Discover the powerful human stories behind New London’s colonial-era headstones on a guided Cedar Grove Cemetery tour. Unearth local history preserved in stone and gain a deeper connection to Connecticut’s past.
easy.
1.5 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels due to low-intensity walking.
Meet in front of the Cedar Grove Cemetery office just inside the Broad Street gates.
Yes, the tour is family-friendly, though children should be able to walk for 1.5 hours comfortably.
Yes, the paths lead visitors close to the historic monuments, making it easy to see inscriptions.
The tour still runs on the scheduled day unless severe weather occurs, in which case a rain date is set for the next day.
Advance booking is recommended to secure a spot, but walk-ins are accepted with cash payment only.
Ticket sales support restoration projects for historic monuments at Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Cedar Grove Cemetery displays stones moved from the Second Burial Ground in the 19th century, preserving New London’s earliest colonial settlers’ memorials.
Restoration efforts funded by the tours aim to protect historic stones from weathering and maintain the cemetery’s cultural heritage.
Thames River Heritage Park is a New London, Connecticut organization that preserves and interprets the history, culture, and natural resources of the Thames River estuary. The organization offers a curated series of guided 75-minute boat tours and talks that connect passengers with regional stories, including maritime history, Indigenous heritage, African American experiences, Gilded Age estates, Revolutionary War events, and local folklore. Tours feature collaborations with recognized local experts and institutions: UConn faculty, members of the Mohegan Tribe, Connecticut Sea Grant scientists, historians from the New London County Historical Society, and local authors. Many programs explicitly support area heritage sites and nonprofit partners through ticket revenue. Departing from locations such as Fort Trumbull State Park, the tours navigate landmarks like Pine Island, Bushy Point, Bluff Point, and riverbanks that witnessed significant historical events. The schedule includes specialized programs — for example, guided conversations about emancipation and abolition; profiles of notable women of the Thames; natural-history excursions; a haunted-harbor ghost tour; and focused narratives on Benedict Arnold’s 1781 burning of New London. Most offerings emphasize education, community engagement, and place-based interpretation tailored to adults, families, and history enthusiasts. Thames River Heritage Park emphasizes transparent partnerships, local scholarship, and stewardship of the river corridor. Tickets and public programs make regional history accessible while reinvesting in heritage organizations. Visitors can expect knowledgeable narration, close river access to shoreline sites, and an opportunity to support ongoing preservation and interpretation of New London’s maritime landscape. Seasonal schedules vary; check the foundation calendar for details and updates.
Book with Thames River Heritage Park