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Join historian Matthew Reardon for a focused evening at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum that reconstructs the Battle of New London (September 6, 1781) and Benedict Arnold’s raid. The program pairs a 6–7PM reception with a 7–8PM lecture and gallery access.
Join historian Matthew Reardon for a focused evening at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum that reconstructs the Battle of New London (September 6, 1781) and Benedict Arnold’s raid. The program pairs a 6–7PM reception with a 7–8PM lecture and gallery access.
Book with Thames River Heritage Park
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Thames River Heritage Park · New London, Connecticut
On a clear evening in New London, Connecticut, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum at 625 Williams St, New London, CT 06320, USA becomes a gathering place for local history. The Revolution Along the Thames River lecture and reception explores the doomed defense of New London in September 1781 and the wider story of Benedict Arnold’s raid. Historian Matthew Reardon leads the evening, drawing on archival research and years of local scholarship to trace patriot and loyalist divisions that shaped life along the river. The program begins with a reception from 6–7PM with light hors d'oeuvres, wine, and fruit-infused water, followed by a lecture from 7–8PM and access to museum galleries. Organized by Thames River Heritage Park Foundation and Lyman Allyn Art Museum, the evening ties the city’s waterfront to a specific Revolutionary War moment. Visitors meet at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum (625 Williams St, New London, CT 06320, USA) and should allow time to browse exhibits before the lecture. Reardon has published in the Journal of the American Revolution, served as executive director of the New England Civil War Museum & Research Center, and continues to teach while serving as a command historian for the Connecticut Military Department. The talk reconstructs the Battle of New London (September 6, 1781) and the surrounding raid (September 4–13, 1781), placing decisions and local reactions in the context of a working river town. This event is compact—about two hours total—with a 60-person group limit, wheelchair accessible facilities, and non-refundable ticketing. General admission is $20 and member admission is $15 (applies to Thames River Heritage Park & Lyman Allyn Art Museum membership). For travelers staying in New London, the lecture fits neatly into a night of harbor-front walking, museum time, and dinner at a nearby restaurant. Bring a notepad for questions, arrive early to secure museum access, and expect a close, document-focused narrative rather than a broad, sweeping survey. Scholars and curious visitors alike will find the program valuable because it links primary-source evidence to the physical place where those events unfolded along the Thames River and New London harbor. Keep an eye on ticket releases via the event page and consider pairing the lecture with a daytime walk along the waterfront to better read the geography that shaped 1781 decisions. Whether you arrive as a history specialist, a regional traveler, or someone eager to understand how local communities experienced national conflict, the evening at Lyman Allyn emphasizes evidence, place, and the everyday choices that turned a September raid into a lasting chapter of Connecticut history. Reserve early, check accessibility notes, and arrive ready to listen: this is a tight, source-driven program where small archival details change the view of a well-known episode today.
easy.
2 hours.
Minimal fitness required; mostly indoor seating with short walks to and from the museum
The reception and lecture together run about two hours: reception 6–7PM and lecture 7–8PM.
Meet at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum located at 625 Williams St, New London, CT 06320, USA.
Tickets are listed as non-refundable; check the booking page for full terms before purchase.
Yes, the venue is wheelchair accessible as noted in the event details.
The reception includes light hors d'oeuvres, wine, and fruit-infused water and provides gallery access.
The program is aimed at adults and history enthusiasts; check with the organizer about suitability for younger audiences.
The lecture focuses on Benedict Arnold’s raid on New London (September 4–13, 1781) and the Battle of New London on September 6, 1781, events that split local loyalties.
Support local preservation by staying on designated paths, disposing of trash properly, and considering a gift to Thames River Heritage Park Foundation to help protect waterfront history.
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