update

We’re pleased to announce that Amy Perry has been named the Park’s Executive Director. She had been the Interim Executive Director and now assumes the position in a permanent capacity.

“Southeastern CT is rich with history and the Thames River Heritage Park will play a leading role in building awareness of and visitorship to the area. I’m thrilled to continue the work that has been in the making for so many years and by so many dedicated people,” says Perry.

“The TRHP Foundation is pleased that Amy has accepted the position. Having the benefit of her experience has been a boon to the organization since she joined us and we look forward to continued progress in the future,” says Marian Galbraith, TRHP Board of Directors President and former City of Groton Mayor.

Among Perry’s responsibilities will be to build a collaboration among the almost 20 heritage sites within the Park to create a community of sites for a rich and relevant visitor experience. Before joining the Park she had been a principal at Smizer Perry, an award-winning marketing and design firm and, more recently, served as Director of Communications for Chamilia, a division of Swarovski.

The CT Maritime Heritage Festival was a huge success. USS Cole Sailors Peterson and Ampong came out to help us weed and clean up our Groton Landing. The water taxi ran to capacity all weekend and the weather and skies were just spectacular. And, there was delicious chowder to be consumed all over town. Our hats off to the organizers and to Chairman John Johnson for his unwavering leadership in putting on a first rate festival. The Park is honored to have been a part of it.

The 2017 CT Maritime Heritage Festival is fast approaching. Mark your calendars – Friday, September 8 – Sunday, September 10th. The Thames River Heritage Park will offer special fares and schedules for the hop on-hop off water taxi service on Saturday and Sunday during the Festival as follows:

Special Fares Saturday and Sunday only:

• $10 for adult all-day unlimited rides (reg. $15)

• $5 for all-day unlimited rides for children ages 4-12 and active military (reg. $10)

• Children 3 and under are free

Special Schedule Saturday and Sunday only:

• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. there will be continuous express water taxi service between Fort Trumbull and City Pier in New London.

• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. there will be continuous express water taxi service between Fort Trumbull and Fort Street Landing in Groton.

The Water Taxi will operate on a regular schedule Friday, the 8th and after 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Sunset tours will be available as scheduled.[clear_both]

Today was a big day for the Park. Our wayfinding and informational sign was installed at the Groton landing. It was a team effort, for sure. Volunteer Bill Posage did all the heavy lifting while Board President Marian Galbraith assisted and Interim Executive Director Amy Perry captured the event. The new sign has photos and descriptions of the sites on the Groton Bank as well as walking times, directional arrows and a map. Water Taxi riders will not be able to miss it.Be sure to take a look.

Volunteer Bill Posage works the post digger

Board President Marian Galbraith helps with the wheelbarrow

Bill Posage fills in around the post

Bill Posage and Marian Galbraith work on the final adjustments

Marian Galbraith and Interim Executive Director Amy Perry with the final results.

TRHPF Board President Marian Galbraith and Interim Executive Director Amy Perry had a great excuse for being at the Groton Landing in the middle of a sunny summer workday on Tuesday. Ann Wilkinson, SVP of Chelsea Groton Bank met them there for this photo op to present them with a check for $2,410 from the Chelsea Groton Bank Foundation. The funds were provided to support the coordination and design of this new website. They are standing in front of the Water Taxi “Groton” which served as a liberty boat to the USS Hunley, a submarine tender home ported in Charleston, South Carolina servicing the nuclear powered Polaris submarine fleet.