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Discover New London’s rich maritime past on a 90-minute walking tour of Cedar Grove Cemetery, where stories of whaling captains, crews, and their families come to life through guided tales and historic monuments.
Discover New London’s rich maritime past on a 90-minute walking tour of Cedar Grove Cemetery, where stories of whaling captains, crews, and their families come to life through guided tales and historic monuments.
Book with Thames River Heritage Park
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Operated by Thames River Heritage Park · New London, Connecticut
Step back into the 19th century on the New London’s Whaling History Walking Tour, a captivating 90-minute journey through one of Connecticut’s most storied maritime hubs. Located in New London, a coastal city on the Thames River, this guided walking tour invites visitors to explore the deeply intertwined tales of agents, captains, crews, and families who propelled New London into prominence during the American whaling boom. Starting at the historic Cedar Grove Cemetery on Broad Street, participants follow historian Gail B. MacDonald as she recounts riveting stories about the whaling trade’s impact on the city’s growth and culture.
New London was a crucial center in the whaling industry, especially throughout the 1800s, serving as an outfitting port for vessels hunting whales across distant oceans. The city’s wealth and diverse population were directly shaped by this trade, an era marked by daring seafarers and complex global connections. This walking tour illuminates these facets while physically placing visitors among one of New London’s most evocative landscapes — the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Here, gravestones tell their own stories, immortalizing captains and crew, along with the families who endured long absences and dangers at sea.
This outdoor exploration offers more than historical facts; it provides a palpable sense of place where maritime heritage meets a community’s enduring memory. As you walk under mature trees, past ornate monuments, the guide shares anecdotes that transform the site into a living archive of whaling’s rise and its profound human dimension.
The tour is perfect for history buffs, maritime enthusiasts, or anyone curious about New London’s unique role in American seafaring history. It’s also family-friendly and easy-paced, making it accessible during any season, though crisp autumn days highlight the cemetery’s foliage and the city’s harbor views.
Proceeds from the $20 ticket support ongoing conservation efforts at Cedar Grove Cemetery, preserving these monuments for future generations. While the tour is specifically scheduled with limited group size, walk-ins are welcome with cash payment on the day, reinforcing the community-rooted nature of this experience.
New London itself offers rich accommodations and dining options nearby, combining a classic New England port-city vibe with modern amenities. For travelers seeking to deepen their understanding of maritime history or looking for a thoughtful outdoor excursion filled with local flavor and storytelling, this tour is an unforgettable way to connect with Connecticut’s coastal heritage.
easy.
1.5 hours.
Suitable for all fitness levels as the walk is leisurely and mostly flat.
The tour meets at the Cedar Grove Cemetery office building just inside the Broad Street gates.
The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.
Yes, it's family-friendly and suitable for all ages.
Yes, you can reserve tickets online, but walk-ins are also welcome with cash payment.
In case of rain, the tour has a rain date scheduled for the following day.
Restrooms are available at the cemetery office near the meeting point.
New London was once one of the leading whaling ports in the 19th century, rivaling New Bedford in Massachusetts.
Proceeds from the tour fund the restoration and upkeep of Cedar Grove Cemetery’s historic monuments and grounds.
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