We've been saving buildings and celebrating the history that makes New London special since the 1970s when we helped prevent the demolition of Union Station. Since then, we've preserved three historic buildings ourselves, helped developers access tax credits to fund their restoration projects, helped save Riverside Park, successfully nominated neighborhoods to the National Register of Historic Places, spearheaded efforts to save historic buildings, and given numerous walking tours throughout New London.
Most recently, we completed the rehabilitation of former New London NAACP President Linwood Bland, Jr.'s longtime home at 23 Franklin Street and ensured that it would remain affordable and owner-occupied for thirty years, hosted a tour of Belden Street to showcase HOPE's work and collaborated with the City of New London on the recently unveiled, fifteen site Black Heritage Trail.
This year we are working on a documentary film about the history of New London's LGBTQ community, hosting a lecture about New London architect Dudley St. Clair Donnelly and beginning a project on the history of public housing in New London. And, as always, we are here to protect historic open spaces, buildings, streetscapes and neighborhoods if they become threatened.