Fort Trumbull State Park
A nineteenth-century coastal fort, riverwalk, visitor center, and harbor outlook explain New London’s strategic position beside the Thames River.
Artwork inspired by Charles Harold Davis
The present Egyptian Revival-influenced fort was completed in the 1850s on a site fortified since the Revolutionary era. Thick granite walls, casemates, gun positions, and harbor views make defensive geometry visible, while the visitor center connects the fort to regional maritime and military history.
Grounds and waterfront walks have broader hours than the seasonal exhibit center. Begin outside to understand the river approach, then enter the fort when staffed. Wind off the harbor can be strong, and special events or restoration may change which casemates and upper levels are accessible. The waterfront promenade adds perspective on the fort’s strategic position.
- Present fort
- Completed in the 1850s
- Waterway
- Thames River
- Setting
- New London harbor
Quick guide
- Face the river
- Use the gun positions to reconstruct the defended approach.
- Read the style
- Notice military function beneath the Egyptian Revival details.
Know before you go
- Walk the perimeter
- Understand wall thickness and fields of fire before entering.
- Enter a casemate
- Compare protected interior space with the open parade.
- Use the visitor center
- Connect the site to New London’s maritime role.
- Check seasonal access
- Interior hours are narrower than grounds hours.
Good to know
Do not confuse this site with Fort Griswold across the river in Groton. The grounds can be rewarding when the museum is closed, but that is a different visit from entering the fort and exhibits.
Notice these
- Granite casemates
- Harbor panorama
- Riverwalk