National Coast Guard Museum

The National Coast Guard Museum is a maritime museum in New London that documents the history of the United States Coast Guard through artifacts, vessels, and equipment from different periods of service. Interactive displays present how the service has operated and evolved over time.

The museum received federal approval in 2014 for construction in New London with plans to open in 2026 to preserve Coast Guard heritage. This initiative emerged from long-standing efforts to properly document and share the service's history with the public.

The museum features exhibits dedicated to members from diverse communities, particularly Native Americans, who have served in the Coast Guard since 1815 and participated in military operations. These stories are displayed in dedicated sections that highlight contributions often overlooked in mainstream accounts.

Take time to explore the interactive displays and the different sections of the collection at your own pace. Plan to spend a half day or full day to properly experience the vessels, equipment, and stories presented throughout the building.

The museum incorporates actual Coast Guard operations into educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students learn through real case studies how these services functioned and what technical challenges had to be solved.

GPS coordinates: 41.35454,-72.09222

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:03