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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