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The Thames River Heritage Park Foundation will offer two new lectures in its Stories from the Park Virtual Lecture Series at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 21st and Sunday, February 28th via Zoom.

On February 21st “Eugene O’Neill’s New London” will explore the Whaling City at the turn of the 20th Century and the influence it had on the four-time Pulitzer Prize-winner and America’s only playwright to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. This presentation will also discuss how the city’s influences are depicted in many of O’Neill’s plays. The Monte Cristo Cottage, O’Neill’s boyhood summer home on Pequot Avenue, is a heritage site in the Thames River Heritage Park.

This lecture will be led by Rob A. Richter, director of arts programming at Connecticut College where he curates the onStage performing arts series and teaches a seminar “Eugene O’Neill’s America.”

“O’Neill’s tragedy  “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” is numbered on the short list of the finest U.S. plays in the 20th century. Rob’s talk will provide perspective and insights on O’Neill’s life here rarely discussed,” says Amy Perry, Thames River Heritage Park Executive Director.

On February 28th Executive Director of the New London County Historical Society Steve Manuel will share the story of HMS Resolute. In May 1845, British explorer Sir John Franklin set out on his two vessels, the Terror and the Erebus, in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. Two years passed with no word from Franklin, and in 1848 expeditions were sent out in search, one of which was the HMS Resolute. When the New London crew of the George Henry found it more than a year later, they were shocked by what they found.

“We have heard many references to the Resolute desk used by many US Presidents in the Oval Office and made from timbers from The HMS Resolute. But many may not know the story behind this legendary ship. Steve’s talk will be a fascinating journey,” says Perry.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the one-hour lectures. Tickets are $10. Additional Stories from the Park lecture dates and details will be available as determined on the Park’s website. Tickets must be purchased online at bit.ly/TRHPStories or by going to Thames RiverHeritagePark.org and clicking on the Stories from the Park banner at the top of the home page.

 Purchasers will receive a link to the lecture in their confirmation.

Outgoing TRHP Board President Marian Galbraith poses with incoming TRHP Board President Capt. Paul Whitescarver in their custom two-of-a-kind TRHP Plankowner sweatshirts which were given to them in recognition of their longstanding dedication and leadership.

Immediate Opening for a Part-Time Waterfront & Group Tour Coordinator.

The Thames River Heritage Park (TRHP) is looking for a talented individual who can handle a variety of responsibilities throughout the year and who will have a visible role in our growing non-profit organization. TRHP is a collection of national and historic sites in Groton and New London, CT, linked by water which capture the history and culture of life along the Thames River. It’s a new kind of state park — one without boundaries.

In this part-time position you will be on the front lines of our water taxi and boat tour operation promoting and coordinating boat and land tours Memorial Day Weekend through mid-September and growing our tour business in the off season.

RESPONSIBILITIES

In Season (May through September)

Coordinate all group, boat and walking tours.

Liaison with boat operator, tour groups, historic partner sites and tour guides on the day of tours.

Make sure tours run smoothly and troubleshoot any logistical issues that may arise with schedules.

Coordinate with TRHP Communications Coordinator for all online and point-of-sale ticket sales, refunds, reconciliations and cancellations, and respond to customer inquiries.

Schedule and oversee volunteer docents for land and boat tours.

Make sure boat operator has TRHP materials on boats. Provide boat operator with any weekly sponsorship or other signage changes and instructions.

Oversee the distribution, collection and safety of all patron individual listening devices for all tours.

Coordinate with Communications Coordinator for social media promotions of park events.

Off Season (October through April)

Build our group tour business by identifying and selling prospects, building relationship with tour operators and other tour groups and maintaining relationships with group leaders. You will:

Assist in creating tour materials and send to groups throughout New England/NY/NJ. Follow up on materials sent.

Locate, connect and build relationships with tour operators.

Build database of groups/operators for tours.

Send information to and follow up with area businesses and organizations for group tours, water taxi rides and boat charters.

Schedule tours, get deposits, get contracts signed, coordinate payments with treasurer, liaison with the group leaders, schedule tours at historic sites and coordinate and schedule TRHP tour guides and boat operator.

Maintain all tour schedules.

Coordinate with non-profit heritage and cultural partners for their tour/boat needs, as well as other initiatives.

Coordinate and schedule TRHP Foundation Committee Meetings. Prepare and distribute meeting minutes as needed.

Support Sponsorship, Membership, marketing efforts and the Park’s administrative needs.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

You must have:
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Excellent organizational and project management skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, some experience with boating and an interest in American history a plus.
Good customer service skills.

The right candidate must be a self-starter, able to ride on the boats and have experience working with the public or preferably in tourism or travel trades.

This position reports to the Executive Director and requires some weekend hours during the water taxi season.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter and resumé to Executive Director Amy Perry at [email protected].