Historical Guided Tours – Celebrate America 250^th Anniversary with Us!

Discover the people, places, and moments that shaped New London. Through guided walking tours, curated experiences, and thoughtful storytelling, we bring local history to life—one story at a time.

What We Do

New London’s history is layered, complex, and deeply connected to the sea. From Revolutionary era struggles to maritime trade, immigration, industry, and everyday life, the city’s past is all around us, often hidden in plain sight.

Uncovering New London invites residents and visitors alike to take a  look closer, and discover the stories behind the streets, buildings, and waterfront.

About Uncovering New London

Uncovering New London is a history tourism initiative dedicated to sharing the city’s rich past through engaging, place-based storytelling. Our work connects historical research with public experiences, making history accessible, meaningful, and relevant today.

We believe history isn’t just about dates and monuments, it’s about people, choices, and the stories that continue to shape our community.

Our Mission 

Our mission is to uncover, preserve, and share New London’s stories through inclusive, engaging, and historically grounded experiences that educate, inspire, and connect people to place.

What We Offer / Walking Tours and Guided Bus Tour

Whether it is guided walking tours or bus tours we explore New London’s neighborhoods, landmarks, and waterfront, revealing the stories you won’t find on a plaque.

If you’re a tourist, local resident, school group, summer camp, recreation department or senior center looking for a meaningful historical experience, we have the tour for you. Our programs are thoughtfully designed for all ages and interests, grounded in solid research and rich local history and we can tailor each tour to meet your needs and interests.

Tours run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday  May 22 – Oct 11, 2026, at 10 am 

 You must make a reservation  Call 860-443-3786 or  Email bjneff1369@sbcglobal.net

A tribute to America’s 250th anniversary, highlighting New London’s role in the American Revolution

• Gilded Age grandeur -The Gilded Age New London Tour explores a time when New London and Groton became a thriving seaside retreat for wealthy families during America’s Gilded Age (late 1800s–early 1900s). Fueled by the fortunes made in the whaling industry and the city’s prime coastal location, the region developed into a fashionable summer playground for prominent industrialists, artists, and social elites.Along the way, guests learn how new transportation, especially railroads, ferries, and electric trolleys, made travel easier and helped shape the area’s growth. The tour highlights historic homes, former summer colony sites, and landmarks connected to influential families and cultural figures of the era. Stories include the theatrical legacy of Eugene O’Neill and his family at Monte Cristo Cottage, the elegance of the Pequot Colony summer community, and the impact of philanthropists such as the Harkness family at Harkness Memorial State Park.Guests also see remarkable architectural and artistic treasures, including stunning stained-glass windows designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in local churches and chapels.Through historic sites, architecture, and stories of the people who shaped the region, this tour brings to life the glamour, innovation, and social transformation that defined New London’s Gilded Age. Offering tours  Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning at 10am
• Revolutionary Tour – The Revolutionary War New London Tour explores the dramatic and often tragic role the city played during the American Revolution. In the 1700s, New London was a busy maritime port whose merchants and ship owners relied heavily on trade throughout the Atlantic. As tensions with Britain grew, the community became deeply divided between patriots who supported independence and loyalists who wished to remain part of the British Empire.Guests learn how local protests against British taxes began early in New London, including a tea protest on the town’s Parade that occurred even before the famous Boston Tea Party. The tour also shares the story of Nathan Hale, Connecticut’s state hero, who taught school in New London before joining the Continental Army and volunteering as a spy for George Washington.The tour then builds toward one of the most devastating events in the city’s history, the attack on New London on September 6, 1781. On that day, British forces led by the infamous traitor Benedict Arnold landed troops on both sides of the Thames River. As fighting raged across the river at Fort Griswold Battlefield, Arnold’s troops marched through New London burning homes, warehouses, and businesses, destroying much of the city.Through historic sites and firsthand accounts, the tour reveals stories of resistance, hardship, and resilience from privateers who captured British ships to citizens who witnessed the destruction of their town. By the end, visitors gain a deeper understanding of how the Revolution shaped New London and why the events of 1781 remained etched in the community’s memory for generations.

Offering tours  Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning at 10am – Sign up now

• Hidden Gems & Fun Facts-The Hidden Gems Walking Tour of New London uncovers fascinating stories and historic sites that many people pass every day without realizing their significance. This guided walk through downtown highlights the city’s rich maritime heritage, Revolutionary past, and vibrant cultural history.Along the way, guests will hear stories about remarkable people and places, from the legacy of Connecticut’s state hero Nathan Hale to the history behind iconic landmarks such as the Garde Arts Center and the historic St. James Episcopal Church. Visitors will also discover surprising connections to the whaling industry, early printing in America, Revolutionary War events, and the colorful characters who helped shape the city, including where legendary playwright Eugene O’Neill was known to stop in for a pint or two.The tour concludes at Tox Brewing Company, where guests will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the brewery, learn about the craft brewing process, and sample one of their locally made craft beers. An enjoyable way to wrap up a walk through New London’s hidden history.
• When History Speaks:  The Historic Haunts of New London
  Join Traci Boiselle, a local history enthusiast, a paranormal investigator with 18 years of experience with The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS), and the Co-Founder of When History Speaks for a look back into New London’s haunted history.  Tour the historic streets of the Whaling City, and hear the claims of paranormal activity while honoring the incredible lives of those passed. Learn how historic research and paranormal science can allow us to learn history from those that lived it.  Who may still roam the streets and inhabit the city’s significant buildings?  What do they still have to teach us?  Only time will tell.

  Offering Tours on Friday Nights call for details.

• Black history
• Whaling heritage

Exclusive Tour Access Includes: 

• Pequot Chapel – Private access to view the stunning Tiffany stained-glass windows.
• St. James Episcopal Church – Explore another beautiful collection of historic Tiffany windows.
• Tox Brewing Company – Go behind the scenes for a brewery tour, learn how their craft beer is made, and enjoy a sample.
• Avery-Copp House Museum – Experience tea served by a docent in period attire, sharing stories of daily life from the perspective of a domestic servant

And much more — each tour can be customized to create a unique and memorable experience tailored to your specific interests.

New London’s History Is Deep, Rich, and Alive

New London has always been a city of movement, of ships, people, ideas, and change. Its history reflects resilience, innovation, conflict, and creativity, all shaped by its coastal identity. By uncovering these stories, we honor the past while better understanding the present.

Have questions? Want a tour designed just for you and your group? Or ready to sign up?

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or visiting for the first time, there’s always more to discover in New London. Join us. Walk or ride with us.

 Call 860-443-3786
 Email bjneff1369@sbcglobal.net

Uncover New London—one story at a time.

Meet Our Team

About Our Primary Docent -Gail B. MacDonald

Tours offered through Uncovering New London are led by Gail B. MacDonald, a journalist, journalism professor, and author with a deep interest in the stories of the past and their relevance today.

Gail has written three history books, and much of her journalism has focused on the people, places, and events of history as a way to better inform the present. Her approach combines careful research with engaging storytelling, making history accessible to a wide audience.

An experienced docent and tour guide, Gail leads history-themed walking tours throughout New London, as well as tours aboard Thames River water taxis and programs at New London’s historic Cedar Grove Cemetery. She is also a frequent public speaker, presenting on historic topics for community groups, educational institutions, and public events.

Gail lives in New London, and her tours are shaped by both scholarly research and a deep personal connection to the city.

 Black Heritage Docent- Nicole Thomas 

Nicole Thomas is a lifelong New London resident and dedicated historian specializing in the city’s Black heritage and maritime history. As Assistant Site Administrator for the Southeast Region of Connecticut Landmarks and co-researcher of New London’s Black Heritage Trail, she brings more than 20 years of research and lived connection to her tours. Nicole’s engaging style makes history tangible and deeply human, guiding guests through the overlooked voices, tensions, and triumphs that shaped New London.

 Barbara J. Neff – Founder, Neff Productions

Barbara J. Neff is a lifelong resident of Southeastern Connecticut and founder of Neff Productions. Having lived in New London for decades, she knows the people, the stories, and the heart of the community. With extensive experience producing events from parades to large festivals such as Sailfest and the CT Maritime Heritage Festival, Barbara brings unmatched expertise and attention to detail, turning every event into a memorable experience.

Uncovering New London is dedicated to sharing the city’s history through thoughtful storytelling, public engagement, and community collaboration.