Catherine Foley

Thames River Heritage Park seeks New Boat Operator

Thames River Heritage Park Foundation is accepting proposals for a boat operator to manage the boats for the Park’s Hop-on Hop-off Harbor Cruise / Water Taxi service, history-themed tours and charters for the 2025 season. The boat operation was previously managed by Scott Arsenault of Vixen Ledge Marine, who retired at the end of the 2024 contract.

“We are grateful for Scott’s service to the Park during the last 6 years and look forward to working with a new operator that will continue the professional, customer-friendly service for our Hop-on Hop-off Harbor Cruises / Water Taxi, history-themed boat tours and specialty cruises for which Thames River Heritage Park is known,” stated the Foundation’s executive director, Catherine Foley.

To review the Request for Proposal (RFP), scan the QR code or visit https://www.thamesriverheritagepark.org/trhpf-boat-operator-rfp/.

Proposals are due via the on-line portal included in the RFP by February 3, 2025.

Thames River Heritage Park Foundation promotes, supports and sustains Thames River Heritage Park making the heritage and culture of the Thames River region vivid and relevant to all by connecting people, communities, institutions, sites and stories to the historic waterfront and natural landscape of the Thames River estuary via hop-on hop-off Harbor cruises / water taxi service and history-themed boat tours and collaborative programs, such as, Stories from the Park Lecture Series, TRHP Docent Academy and Discover the Thames campaign.

Living the Dream

Do you have a lifelong dream … something that you’ve always wanted to do but never had the time to pursue?

An old salt, Phil L. sure did.

You see, all his life he longed to narrate tours on the water.

After retiring two of his own boats, Thames River Heritage Park Foundation was the perfect fit to fulfill his passion for being on the sea, his interest in the region’s history and his life-long dream to narrate boat tours.

A 35-year summer resident of Niantic, Phil and his wife, Patty, enrolled in the first class of the Thames River Heritage Park Docent Academy. “I saw the article about the program in the Shoreline Times and told him it was tailored made for him,” shared Patty.

Since graduating from the Docent Academy, Patty volunteers in Avery-Copp House Museum’s archivist program and Phil serves as an interpreter for our history-themed boat tours.

Each year during the winter months, Phil reads history books and articles and watches documentaries to find new, lesser-told stories about the Battle of Groton Heights and the Burning of New London on September 6, 1781.

“My tours are different each year. The basic history remains the same; however, based I what I discover through my winter reading and research and the audience, I adapt my tour narrative and share new stories each time,” stated Capt. Phil.

“For instance … Do you know why the Hempsted Houses in New London were not burned down on September 6, 1781,” he continued.

While living the dream on the boat this Saturday and Sunday from 11:40 AM – 12:55 PM, Phil will share his latest discovery during the boat tour: Traitor, Privateers and Militias. Fire and Massacre on the Thames.

Join him to hear fascinating stories about the lead up to and following the descent of 1700 Red Coats on the shores of the Thames on an infamous day in Connecticut and American Revolutionary War history.

For a more detailed description and information about the tour and to buy your ticket scan the QR code or visit For a more detailed description and information about the tour and to buy your ticket scan the QR code or visit Traitor, Privateers and Militias. Fire and Massacre on the Thames.

Tour departs from City Pier on New London Waterfront Park. FREE Water Taxi service is to City Pier is available from Fort Trumbull State Park departing at 10 AM.

P.S. In addition to his summer gig, Phil has a daily radio program on Valley Eye Radio – “A Military Minute” – during which he reads stories about military history for those who are visually or print impaired.

by Catherine Foley

#CTVisit #LivingtheDream

April in the Park … NL Whalers in the Southern Ocean, David Sadaris, Mandy Patinkin & Kathryn Grody, Farmers Market, NL Restaurant Week, Youth Programs and more!

April in Thames River Heritage Park

From New London “Whalers” in the Southern Ocean to Live Improv, David Sedaris Live and a Conversation with Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody; to Farmers Market and New London Restaurant Week, Family Nights, Community Yoga, Student Performances and Art After Dark there’s so much to do during April in Thames River Heritage Park.

#DiscovertheThames #VisitCT #ExploreNewLondon

Docent Academy II: New London’s Black Heritage Trail

New London’s Black Heritage Trail stands as a testament to three centuries of Black strength, resilience, and triumphs. Spanning fifteen sites, this trail not only commemorates nationally recognized figures and events but also pays homage to those nearly forgotten. Each site weaves a narrative that reflects the unwavering determination of New London’s Black community to overcome obstacles, showcasing personal courage and the establishment of institutions to address social, political, economic, and spiritual needs.

Working in collaboration with the City of New London Cultural District Commission, Curtis Goodwin (trail creator), and various heritage trail contributors and researchers, Thames River Heritage Park is delighted to introduce Docent Academy II – New London’s Black Heritage Trail. This innovative training program aims to empower interpreters with the knowledge and skills to effectively convey the rich tapestry of African-American history in New London and beyond.

Our mission is rooted in preserving African American history, filling gaps where stories have been forgotten or lost and where rediscovery occurs due to the absence of written records. Collaborating with cultural preservationists, storytellers, and cultural training experts, our interpreters will serve as ambassadors, sharing these invaluable stories with schools and visitors to New London.

New London’s Black Heritage Trail, factual and family-friendly, offers a profound experience that goes beyond mere historical documentation. It strategically emphasizes the interconnectedness of our community, fostering a deep understanding of the roles played by New London’s Black residents in the larger narratives of enslavement, the Great Migration, the intersectionality with other races, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights.

By becoming an interpreter for New London’s Black Heritage Trail, you are investing in preserving African-American history and the education and enlightenment of present and future generations. Your contribution directly continues to unveil, preserve, and share these vital stories that contribute to the rich tapestry of New London’s cultural heritage.

This training program consists of a series of 3 workshops, each lasting 3 hours and taking place once a week over a span of 3 weeks. These sessions will delve into the intricacies of New London’s Black Heritage Trail (NLBHT) and feature comprehensive information coupled with guided walking tours of the trail’s sites.

Session 1
Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 11 AM – 2 PM
Introduction to New London’s Black Heritage Trail by Nicole Thomas and Tom Schuch, primary researchers.

Session 2
Saturday, June 1, 2024 | 1 PM – 4 PM
Exploration of Cultural Storytelling and Cultural Narratives by Tammy Denease, Hidden Women

Session 3
Saturday, June 8, 2024 | 11 AM – 2 PM
Walking the trail with Nicole Thomas and Tom Schuch

Session 4
Saturday, June 15, 2024 | 11 AM – 2 PM
Docent-led Interpretive Review with Nicole Thomas and Tom Schuch

All sessions will be held at Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320

Stories from the Park: Island Affairs of the Thames

Inspired by “The Power of Place” in the Spring 2023 issue of Connecticut Explored, Thames River Heritage Park’s 2024 lecture series probes the historical impact and influence of the connections with islands near and far to the Thames River. Throughout the series the “power of place” will be explored from social, cultural, political, economic and ecological perspectives along with impact and influence on life on the Thames – historically and up to the present time.

Mariners, Whalers and Traders: Islands Connections to the Thames
An evening of stories and songs with Geoff Kaufmann
January 3, 2024

Kinship, Trade and Culture: Eastern Long Island and the Thames
by Patricia Schaefer, New London County Historical Society
February 7, 2024

Connecticut’s Sweet Tooth: New London, the Sugar Trade, and Slavery in the West Indies
by Matt Warshauer, Central Connecticut State University
March 6, 2024

Bound for Desolation: Whalers and Sealers from the Thames
by Deborah Donovan, TRHP Director Emeritus
April 3, 2024

Whaling, Religion and Royalty: New London and Lahaina
by Stephen Manuel, New London County Historical Society
May 1, 2024

MORE INFO

Series Pass – Limited Time Offer

Lecture Series Pass includes five receptions and lectures hosted in partnership with Lyman Allyn Art Museum. The number of passes are LIMITED and ONLY AVAILABLE through December 20, 2023. Reserve yours today!

TRHP + LAAM Members – $45
Non-member* – $65

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