US Custom House

The U.S. Custom House was designed by architect Robert Mills in 1833. In October 1840, the cargo of La Amistad was auctioned at this location. Additionally, a plaque on the building’s facade commemorates another pivotal moment: in 1858, an escaped individual who had been enslaved secured their freedom through the legal advocacy of Judge Augustus Brandegee and Custom official John Mather. This particular incident reflects a challenging time marked by conflicting laws—the Connecticut Personal Liberty Law, which aimed to grant freedom to those who were enslaved like the escaped individual, and the U.S. Fugitive Slave Act, which sought to return them to enslavement. Recognizing the person’s autonomy and agency, they were given the choice to decide their own fate: captivity or freedom. In a decision that affirmed their desire for liberty, they chose freedom.

Today, the Custom House stands as a museum and a functioning custom house, preserving this historical narrative and honoring the resilience and courage of those who sought freedom against frightening odds. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is maintained by the New London Maritime Society.