The New London County Historical Society is the oldest historical organization in eastern Connecticut and one of the oldest in the country.  Almost all of the documents and objects in our collection have come to us as gifts. Many of the treasures we hold for you and the community are here simply because we began collecting early! Our investments are managed for long-term growth — we have almost 150 years to show for it!

We encourage you to support the mission of the New London County Historical Society by making a gift as a bequest in your estate planning. Gifts can be made directly to the Historical Society or to the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, earmarked for the New London County Historical Society Agency Fund.

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the New London County Historical Society relies upon its members and the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations to provide needed support for our programs and operations.  Please join us in preserving and sharing New London County’s rich past by making a contribution today.

Jane Perkins Society

Jane Perkins, the youngest child (of fourteen) of Dr. Nathaniel Shaw Perkins and his wife Eleanor Richards Shaw, and great-great-granddaughter of the builder of the Shaw Mansion, was the last family member to live in the house, selling it to the New London County Historical Society in 1907 for $33,000. Upon her death twenty years later, she left a bequest of equal amount to the Historical Society. We honor her gift and her memory with the Jane Perkins Society. Members and friends of the Historical Society who name the New London County Historical Society as a beneficiary of their estate or of an insurance policy, who send us notification of the planned gift, will be recognized as a member of the Jane Perkins Society.

Planned Giving

Eighty percent (80%) or more of all planned giving is in the form of simple bequests in the donor’s will, but there are many potentially very valuable ways to make a planned gift.  Determining what type of planned gift is right for you is just as important as making the gift. Some methods of giving to NLCHS may have significant estate planning and tax benefits for the donor. A NLCHS representative, along with your financial and legal adviser, can help to structure a gift in the manner most appropriate for your individual or family circumstances. All gifts to the New London County Historical Society are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Outright Gifts 

• Cash
• Appreciated securities
• Real estate

Estate Gifts

• By will or living trust
• Qualified retirement plans
• Life insurance
• Insurance remainder clauses

Gifts in Partnership with the New London County Historical Society 

• Charitable Lead Trust
• Charitable Remainder Trust
• Charitable Remainder Uni Trust
• Retained Life Estate

These will be managed in cooperation with the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

The mission of the New London County Historical Society is to inspire residents and visitors to appreciate the county’s past and draw upon its rich heritage to understand the present and imagine its future.