Today is Friday, October 16, 2026 
2026-2027 Performance Series
History takes center stage in Thames River Heritage Park’s six-part Performance Series, History Comes Alive in the Park. Through engaging reenactments, lively debates, music, and storytelling, talented performers will bring historical figures and events to life, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience history beyond the pages of a textbook.
Beginning November 10, 2026, and continuing through February 23, 2027, the series will explore the people, personalities, and events that shaped our nation, with special attention to the American Revolution, women’s contributions, and our region’s rich maritime heritage.
From the intrigue of Benedict and Peggy Arnold and the spirited debate surrounding the Boston Tea Party to the powerful voices of Harriet Beecher Stowe, revolutionary women, and New London’s own Abigail Hinman, each performance offers a different perspective on the past.
More than simply learning about history, audiences will have the opportunity to see it, hear it, and experience it firsthand. Ticket holders will also have access to museum galleries prior to the performance during the reception.
Dates: November 10, 2026 – February 23, 2027
Where: Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London, CT
Schedule: Reception in Hendel Library & Performance in Lehman Auditorium
This event has concluded.
Benedict and Peggy Arnold
by Dave and Gretchen Loda
November 10, 2026 | 6PM Reception, 6:30PM Performance
Description: Dave Loda will portray Benedict Arnold in character at two stages of his career. The first as an American Major General after Saratoga, about to take command of West Point after leaving Philadelphia with his new wife Peggy Shippen. The second will be after the betrayal as a British Provincial Brigadier General as he is about to leave NYC to attack New London in a British attempt to distract Washington and the French fleet away from Cornwallis, who was bottled up in Yorktown Virginia. Gretchen Loda will portray Peggy Shippen and talk about and perform some of the popular songs during the late 18th century in both Europe and the American Colonies.
This event has concluded.
Tempest in a Teacup
by Diana Dunlap & Natalie Livingston
December 8, 2026 | 6PM Performance, 7PM Reception
Description: Watch a lively discussion between two ladies with diverging opinions on the taxes, boycotts, and protests that led to the American Revolution. Learn about the politics of tea in the 18th century, as well as the tea table manners that were so important in a polite society. After the presentation, guests will be treated to a delicious tea party, featuring treats baked from historic recipes. You will have to decide whether you will declare independence by pouring a cup of Liberty Tea or remain loyal to the Crown by drinking taxed English tea. The reception with tea and refreshments will follow the performance, as it will all take place in the Hendel Library.
Harriet Beecher Stowe: Aunt Hattie’s House
by Emma Palzere-Rae
January 12, 2027 | 6PM Reception, 6:30PM Perfomance
Description: “Aunt Hattie’s House” is written and performed by Emma Palzere-Rae. This solo play looks at what compelled Harriet Beecher Stowe to pen Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
In Their Own Words: Songs of Our Seafaring Heritage
by Rick Spencer & Dawn Indermuehle
January 26, 2027 | 6PM Reception, 6:30PM Performance
Description: Rick Spencer & Dawn Indermuehle will perform a program of songs that describe life on and around the sea, from the perspective of seafarers themselves. For generations, scholars and hobbyists recognized the value of the songs that were created and passed down by seafaring people. They collected these cultural artifacts and saved them in books, diaries, manuscripts and, later, recordings. This program is an entertaining and informative selection of these songs.
This event has concluded.
Women of the Revolution
by Bev York
February 9, 2027 | 6PM Reception, 6:30PM Performance
Description: Meet six heroines including a soldier, a spy and a seamstress. Though women’s stories and their documented contributions to the war for independence are few, they represent what thousands of women probably did do. Women ran the family farms and businesses while men were away. But they also were camp cooks, laundresses and nurses, participating in resistance efforts and, surprisingly, they were also spies and soldiers. To get a real sense of women’s lives and their war efforts, Bev will present these women by wearing different hats, accessories and she will use various vintage props. She will walk her audience through the empowering evolution of women during the Revolution. And what of the courageous women who raised a house frame in Hampton after the men left to join the ranks? Molly Pitcher, whose real name was Mary Hayes, who manned the artillery and Private Robert Shirtiff who was Deborah Sampson Garrett and who wore a military outfit although women were barred from joining up. And the stories keep coming.
This event has concluded.
Finding Abigail
by Amanda Artsea
February 23, 2027 | 6PM Reception, 6:30PM Performance
Description: Amanda Artsea will go into the family tale that made Abigail famous, the historical sources and the choices she had to make to bring this beloved New London ancestor to life.
2026-2027 PERFORMANCE SERIES TICKETS
General Admission – $25
Member Rate – $20
Current members of Thames River Heritage Park Foundation or Lyman Allyn Art Museum
2026-2027 Performance Series: History Comes Alive in the Park is made possible thanks to the generous support of the The Nancy Krant and John Oliva Charitable Fund, Lyman Allyn Art Museum, Grand Wine & Spirits and Beer’d Brewing Co. LLC. We are most grateful for their support.
