Historic Stonington Walking Tour

This fascinating Historic Walking Tour through the narrow streets of Stonington Borough depart on Fridays and Saturdays at 5pm from the Lighthouse Museum. The tour lasts about an hour. Experienced guides will share the stories of historic homes, sites, battles, the railroad and people that reflect Stonington’s rich 350 year history.

Once home to the Pequot Tribe of Southeastern Connecticut, Stonington’s first European settlement dates to 1649 when Thomas Stanton settled on the banks of the Pawcatuck River. The Stonington Borough settlement began about 1750 when the advantages of Stonington’s harbor were first realized. Initially fishing and farming were the primary industries, which eventually led to shipbuilding, a vibrant coastal trade, a West Indies trade, and further exploration. Stonington’s sea captains sailed the world and built fantastic homes that survive today in this perfectly preserved peninsula. Explorers included Edmund Fanning, who was also known as Pathfinder of the Pacific, and Nathaniel Palmer, credited with the discovery of Antarctica. Stonington has successfully defended her shores through two bombardments by British forces during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Today, Stonington is still home to Connecticut’s last commercial fishing fleet.