New London Customhouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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New London Custom House
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New London Custom House
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | 150 Bank St., New London, Connecticut |
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| Area | 2 acres (0.81 ha) |
| Built | 1833 |
| Architect | Robert Mills |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000706 |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1970 |
The New London Custom House is a very old and important building in New London, Connecticut. It was built a long time ago, between 1833 and 1835. A famous architect named Robert Mills designed it. This building has a special history, including a connection to the schooner La Amistad, a ship where people fought for their freedom. Today, it's a museum that teaches visitors all about New London's exciting history with the sea.
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What is a Custom House?
A custom house is a special building where government officials work. Their job is to collect taxes on goods that come into or leave a country by ship. They also make sure that people follow the rules for trading things. The New London Custom House helped control trade and collect money for the government in the 1800s.
The Building's Story
The New London Custom House is located right by the water in New London. It's a three-story building made from strong granite stones. Because the ground slopes, it looks like it has two stories from one side (Bank Street) and three stories from the other side (Water Street, which is closer to the water).
Building Design and Materials
The building has cool features like corner pillars made of light-colored granite. The main entrance has a porch with round columns. These columns are also made of smooth, light granite. There's a line of light granite that separates the upper floors. Even the front door is special! It's made from wood that once belonged to the famous ship, the USS Constitution.
Who Designed It?
The Custom House was designed by Robert Mills. He was one of the first architects in the United States who had formal training. He worked for the government when he designed this building in 1833. The granite stones used to build it came from a place called Millstone Quarry in Waterford, Connecticut.
A Ship's Fight for Freedom
From 1839 to 1840, a ship called the La Amistad was held at the wharf behind the Custom House. This ship is famous because people who had been captured and forced onto it fought for their freedom. This event, known as the Amistad affair, is an important part of American history.
The Custom House Today
The New London Custom House was used as a customs office for many years. It was recognized as an important historical building in 1970. Now, it's the home of the New London Maritime Society. They run it as the Custom House Maritime Museum.
What You Can See at the Museum
At the museum, you can learn all about New London's history with the sea. There are exhibits about:
- The city's maritime history (its connection to ships and the ocean).
- Cool models of different ships.
- The story of the La Amistad and the fight for freedom.
- The history of the Robert Mills building itself.
- Information about lighthouses in the area.
The museum also has a large library with over 2,300 books, maps, and pictures about maritime topics. The New London Maritime Society also takes care of nearby lighthouses like the New London Harbor Light, the Race Rock Light, and the New London Ledge Light. They even offer tours to these lighthouses!
See also
