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